Good Step for state
by Merle Baranczyk
Editor/Publisher
Good step for state
In an unusual agreement between organized labor and business leaders in Colorado, four amendments have been removed from the Nov. 4 election.
Although they will appear on ballots, the questions will not be counted.
The four, Amendments 53, 55, 56 and 57, would have made corporate executives criminally liable for illegal activities, set standards for terms under which employees can be fired from their jobs, require firms employing more than 20 to provide health insurance and for companies employing more than 10 to be liable for civil suits for employees injured on the job.
For agreeing to pull the four questions from the ballot, a coalition of business groups agreed to oppose three amendments, 47, 49 and 54, which would ban compulsory union membership, prohibit paycheck deductions for union dues for public employees and prohibit certain government contractors from contributing to political parties and candidates.
Pulling 53, 55, 56 and 57 off the ballot is good news for employers and employees. At a time of economic and financial upheaval, the four would have punished businesses and ultimately led to a decrease in the number of jobs.
Existing businesses would have closed as a consequence of the amendments and Colorado would be just that much less attractive to firms considering locating within the state. The result would have been a net loss in numbers of jobs.
Yes 47, 49; no: 54
While the business groups agreed to oppose Amendments 47 and 49, both are pro business and therefore both are pro jobs.
The right to work measure, Amendment 47, would prohibit requiring an employee to join and pay union dues as a condition of employment. Joining a union and paying union dues would be voluntary and up to the individual.
Employees should have the right to choose whether or not to join a union.
States that have right to work laws are generally seen as more business friendly. Passage of this initiative would make Colorado more attractive to firms considering relocation and expansion.
More business being done in the state means more jobs for Coloradans.
Amendment 49 would prohibit automatic payroll deductions for such things as politically active groups including labor and professional associations. These entities often are politically active contributing to candidates and political campaigns, lobbying officials and raising conflict of interest questions.
Some government entities already limit that which can be deducted from paychecks. Approval of 49 would bring a measure of uniformity in that it would apply to all public employers including state, county, municipal, school district and special district governments.
Employees who wish to have payments sent for dues can always go through their banks for automatic withdrawals.
Passage of 49 helps avoid conflict questions and gives employees choices in their paycheck deductions.
Amendment 54 would be far-reaching, complex and difficult to enforce. Those performing contract work for one entity, say a city, could be penalized for making a contribution to a candidate in a county or special district.
This could create difficulties in small communities and rural areas where contractors for various services might be more limited.
The amendment would also be an infringement on rights to free speech and expression.
The Mail recommends yes votes on 47 and 49 and a no on 54.
- MJB
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