GOP stages mini-filibuster over pro-labor bill

April Washington, The Rocky Mountain News

Published February 2, 2007 at midnight

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Democrats may end up pushing a controversial pro-union bill through the legislature, but the Republicans are going to make them work for it.

A bruising battle was dragging on in the Colorado Senate today, with Republicans unleashing a quasi-filibuster, denouncing the labor measure as un-American and anti-business.

"This is an issue of freedom of liberty," said Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch. "We’re talking about rogue labor unions trying to take money (from) the paychecks of workers who may not want to belong. This is going back in time when labor unions controlled the work place."

But Democrats shot back saying that the bill is a minor change needed to address outdated provisions in the Colorado labor law.

"This doesn’t set up closed shops in Colorado," said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jennifer Viega, D-Denver. "You’re not required to join the union. All this does is get government out of the middle of private contractual agreements between management and labor."

Republicans offered an astounding 70 amendments — down from the 300 that were drafted — to try to dilute or kill the bill.

The Senate normally adjourns by noon Friday, but members were ready to debate the measure well into the night. They had pizza delivered for lunch and were prepared to order dinner for tonight.

House Bill 1072 strikes a provision in the 1943 Labor Peace Act that requires a second, secret-ballot supermajority election before a workplace can become a "union shop." In union shops, employees must join the union — or at least pay the costs of union representation, or risk being fired.

Both sides have totally different interpretations on the impact.

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