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Dodging the bullet

Business-union deal ends the economic threat of four labor measures

Rocky Mountain News

Published October 3, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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On Thursday, labor peace was restored in Colorado. At least until the 2009 legislature convenes.

The announcement that two labor-backed groups would remove Amendments 53, 55, 56 and 57 from the November ballot - and in return business groups would fund a joint business-labor campaign to defeat Amendments 47, 49 and 54 - is a positive development. The state's economic health was in the crosshairs of the labor measures, a couple of which probably had a good shot at passage.

The nonlabor measures - 47, 49 and 54 - will go forward. Amendment 47 (right-to-work) prohibits all-union workplaces; 49 bars government agencies from collecting dues from unions and other membership groups; and 54 limits campaign finance activities by sole- source government contractors.

Now, however, the amendments face the unified opposition of labor groups and a portion of the state's corporate establishment, which will together spend millions of dollars against them.

Whatever happens at the polls, Coloradans' well-being is no longer endangered by the union initiatives. And the threat was real.

* Amendment 53 would have made corporate officials and board members subject to criminal prosecution under state law for violations that are now covered either by civil penalties or the federal criminal code.

* Amendment 55 would have prevented companies from firing or laying off employees except under extremely limited circumstances.

* Amendment 56 would have forced companies with 20 or more workers to provide platinum-plated medical insurance - benefit packages much more generous than is the norm in private industry - to all their full-time and part-time employees.

* Amendment 57 would have allowed workers to seek damages from employers after they've gotten settlements from workers' compensation.

Any of them would have damaged the state's fairly healthy environment for entrepreneurship and employment. Taken together, all of them could have poisoned it.

Thankfully, the four measures were pulled before the 5 p.m. deadline for finalizing the fall ballot. Because many ballots have already been printed, any votes for or against 53, 55, 56 and 57 will not be counted.

Back in April, we supported the idea of pulling the labor measures and the right-to-work amendment from the ballot. And we've repeated that call several times since even though we support the principle of right-to-work. Amendment 47 may still be on the ballot, but we'll honor our previous position and refrain from advocating on its behalf.

That said, our positions on the other two measures opposed by this business-labor coalition remains unchanged. Coloradans should enact Amendment 49 since government has no business serving as the collection agency for outside membership organizations. And voters should reject 54, as it would stifle the free- speech rights of Coloradans who happen to be government contractors, as well as their relatives.

At Thursday's press conference, Gov. Bill Ritter and several business leaders lavished praise on the "delicate balance" between unions and management that exists thanks to the state's venerable Labor Peace Act. But there's no guarantee that balance or those good feelings will last.

Last year, Ritter vetoed HB 1072, a bill eliminating the supermajority vote required before an all-union workplace can be established. Ritter was asked Thursday if he would veto a new version of 1072 should one pass. He wouldn't commit, saying only that he "will work to keep the status quo" and "will not upset the balance."

Translation: Unions and their legislative allies may be back. Coloradans who value a robust economy must remain vigilant.

Comments

  • October 3, 2008

    3:17 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mrfxx writes:

    Damn - I really wanted to vote for Amendment 53. Why should executives get away with illegal activities by their companies AND WHICH THEY KNOW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT? There was an out (reporting the illegal activity) and assisting in the prosecution of the "active" lawbreaker(s). The labor folks who agreed to take these off the ballot while leaving the pro-business items on the ballot (Right to Work for Less is the big one) must have paid off by the business community.

  • October 3, 2008

    6:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jacka writes:

    The Rocky is right ... it is well known that the ALF-CIO has continued to ask legislators to sign pledges to change the LPA.

    YES on 54, 49, and 47 to stop radical and corrupt Union Bosses, Political Bosses and Corporate Bosses. Too bad for 53, the Union Bosses sold out their souls

    "At Thursday's press conference, Gov. Bill Ritter and several business leaders lavished praise on the "delicate balance" between unions and management that exists thanks to the state's venerable Labor Peace Act. But there's no guarantee that balance or those good feelings will last.

    Last year, Ritter vetoed HB 1072, a bill eliminating the supermajority vote required before an all-union workplace can be established. Ritter was asked Thursday if he would veto a new version of 1072 should one pass. He wouldn't commit, saying only that he "will work to keep the status quo" and "will not upset the balance.""

  • October 3, 2008

    8:21 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    bxwatso writes:

    Sound like the RMN would like to support 47, but they sort of promised not to. That's a good attitude on honesty, but it is clear to me that they like 47, as do I.

  • October 3, 2008

    7:53 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Sweetpickle writes:

    Apparently the labor movement in Colorado is stupid.
    They've certainly changed my vote from no to Yes on 47, 49 and 54.

  • October 4, 2008

    3:24 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shadow writes:

    Now that the voter information booklets are finally coming out. Ity is highly suggested that the voter sit down for several hours and carefully read through them. All issues are written out in fine print, with the double speak that is politics. But the information is there on these proposals,amendments, and bills.

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