CoorsTek gives $200,000 for 'right-to-work'
By Joanne Kelley, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
The group supporting a contentious "right-to-work" ballot initiative has received its initial funding from CoorsTek, the company that employs key backer and brewery descendant Jonathan Coors.
Campaign finance reports filed Thursday show a group called "Colorado Citizens for Change" contributed $200,000 to the campaign to persuade voters to make Colorado a "right-to-work" state, banning all-union workplaces.
Jonathan Coors told the Rocky Mountain News that CoorsTek provided the early-stage money to the group.
"CoorsTek, a proud Colorado manufacturing company, contributed to Colorado Citizens for Change to help promote a healthy Colorado economy," Coors said in a phone interview.
The campaign also received $250 from Ronald Martinez, of Colorado Springs.
By contrast, a labor-backed coalition has raised more than $1.5 million to promote two other measures and defeat the right-to- work proposal, which it denounces as "divisive for the state."
That money came from 433 sources, a combination of labor union contributions and smaller amounts from individuals.
"It shows a robust, grass-roots fundraising effort," said Jess Knox, executive director of Protect Colorado's Future. "A lot of these folks certainly don't have the money of John and Jonathan Coors."
John K. Coors is CEO of CoorsTek; his son Jonathan is the firm's government relations director.
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May 1, 2008
9:59 p.m.
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jacka writes:
$1,500,000 in workers money not going to pay for better healthcare, housing or education for the workers family.
Union skulls take 430 $10 checks from 430 union VPs and field organizers and three monster checks from SEIU, AFL, etc... HQ for a whoppin $1.5m.
Was there out of state union money from central planning committees?
$1.5m in union dues used to fund an anti choice campaign, hummm?
$1.5m in workers money used to keep people trapped in monopoly union-business cabal.
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VOTE YES ON AMENDMENT 47 - COLORADANS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE
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May 1, 2008
10:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
jacka writes:
$1.5m in workers money not going to pay for better healthcare, housing or education for the owrkers family.
Union skulls take 430 $10 checks from 430 union VPs and field organizers and three monster checks from SEIU, AFL, etc... HQ for a whoppin $1.5m.
Was there out of state union money from central planning committees?
$1.5m in union dues used to fund an anti choice campaign, hummm?
$1.5m in workers money used to keep people trapped in monopoly union-business cabal.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
VOTE YES ON AMENDMENT 47 - COLORADANS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE
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May 1, 2008
11:16 p.m.
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jacka writes:
Sounds like the Italian Chamber of Commerce has some values
CHAMBER: FINI, RIGHT TO DIGNIFIED AND SAFE WORK
(AGI) - Rome, April 30 - A right to work and industrial security. The Speaker of the Chamber, Gianfranco Fini, mentioned these issues in his inauguration speech in Chamber: "Only the right to work and generate wealth can free our economy from the its difficulties. And only the right of each citizen to dignified and justly paid work can free families of the fear for social isolation". The Speaker of the Chamber added: "How to guarantee harmony between capital and work, how to increase the production of national wealth, how to redistribute it justly, are now questions asked by European politics, also due to the downfall of classic ideologies of the 20th century and the globalisation of markets. I hope that on these questions, which have an impact on the quality of life of all Italians, the Chamber of Deputies will give answers that can consolidate the credibility of institutions and get the country on the road to economic recovery, development, and social justice". The battle for industrial security is essential: "It is certain that all deputies, regardless their political colour, today feel the moral need to guarantee that the right to work can be exercised in safe conditions".
May 2, 2008
8:35 a.m.
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dilligaf writes:
I'm sure a fine company like Coorstek is really looking out for best interest of the working people. The Coors family has a long history of busting unions. Golden has always been known as little Berlin.
May 2, 2008
8:42 a.m.
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Marshdale writes:
Sasquach good to hear from you again. What is it about the American worker you hate so much? Haveing health care for their family, haveing a pension to retire on, being protected from at will termination, being represented when you have a greivance. It all sounds reasonable to me. The American business model is antiquated and self destructive. Treating your people right and sacrificing a little profit goes a long way to building a sustainable company. It also produces a loyal work force that can be trusted. This take the money and run attitude with most American companies has done nothing but breed contempt in the workforce of America. Labor is not the problem. Is is the failure of the manufacturing base to reinvest profit into the company. It is a hell of a lot easier to exploit cheap labor overseas. Isn't it?
May 2, 2008
12:04 p.m.
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Diff writes:
Unions have their place but for the most part in the 60' and 70's priced themselfs out of the market.
I think they still have a useful function for some types of workers, but in a much different way that they once were. It has to be less 'us' workers Vs 'them' managment.
As for Coors - they are notoriously anti union - but all in all they treat there workers better than most large companies - or at least used to.
I say that as a former employee - seemingly lifetimes ago, but I have worked closely with the Coors Company and knew a number of employees some years later in a vendor relationship to the company.They are not the best employer, but are far from one of the worst.
back in the early 70's tho, I signed a card to have a vote for Union representation. I was fired about two weeks after ... go figure.
I was in my first year and had missed several days being sick in the past few weeks - however I think the card I signed had something to do with it. I also had an in with some in the company who knew my and family ( some who had worked at COORS and even known Adolf) I was told sorry when I called on them after being fired- there was nothing they could do to help me.
That's why I think signing the card calling for a vote for a union had some part to play - All is well - I joined the military and moved on.
May 2, 2008
12:09 p.m.
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Diff writes:
BTW - I will vote against the right to work inatvie - I think any group of workers should have the chance to have a Union, if that is what they chose. It would be wrong to do away with that choice.
Those then coming should have to abide by that choice. They also enjoy the right to NOT work in a Union shop and seek employment elsewhere.