Anti-Worker Efforts in Colorado Spurred by Out-of-State Special Interests

by Mike Hall, Feb 14, 2008

Earlier this week, Holman Carter, president of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1001 in Denver, discussed how the local’s 2,500 members already are gearing up for the November elections.

One of the key issues on the Colorado ballot might be a so-called “right to work” for less initiative.

Such laws limit workers’ rights to collectively bargain contracts, including wages and benefits. In 2004, average pay in so-called “right to work” states was 14.4 percent lower than in states where workers have the freedom to form strong unions.

Anti-worker advocates are circulating petitions to get the “right to work” initiative on the ballot. The Denver Post reported the public man behind the campaign is Colorado consultant Rob Fairbank. But the paper also reported that

Fairbank declined to identify any supporters or how much money has been raised.

The folks at the progressive blog Square State have done some digging and found out that the anti-worker move isn’t so home grown after all. Some big time out-of-staters seem to be at the controls.

So who is the main catalyst for this “right to work” movement in Colorado? Apparently some out of state special interest groups. quite like having out-of-state special interests come into your state to tell you how to run your economy. In fact, recently Dimitri Kesari, the executive director of the National Right to Work Committee, testified before the Colorado Congress on behalf of this regressive amendment. This is familiar territory for Kesari. He was in Michigan recently pushing his anti-worker agenda there too.

Who spoke for the rights of working Americans? A local Coloradoan firefighter.

So to make their case, anti-union forces brought in some lobbyists from outside the state, while those supporting working Coloradoans used someone much more familiar with the CO economy and working conditions, a local firefighter.

Click here to read more from our Square State friends. 

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