DENVER—A bill that would allow firefighters to unionize and negotiate contracts has narrowly survived an initial vote in the state Senate.
Senators voted 18-17 to back Senate Bill 180 on Tuesday. It must pass another vote before it can go to the House.
Right now, cities with home-rule charters must vote on whether to allow police and firefighters to organize and allow collective bargaining for employment contracts.
The bill would automatically give firefighters the right to organize. Departments with fewer than 30 people would be exempt unless a majority of firefighters want to participate.
Other departments could unionize with the support of 30 percent of its members.
Strikes wouldn’t be allowed, but Republicans argued there are no penalties for those who do.
