Union group likens Republican amendment to Wisconsin tactics

Republican chair of the House Finance Committee Brian DelGrosso, Loveland, Wednesday moved to advance Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget agenda by pushing an amendment that would have nearly doubled the extra amount government employees are paying into their state pension in order to help shore up the state budget.

Hickenlooper says state employees will continue to work hard despite pay cut

As part of the Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget balancing plan, he is calling on government employees to reach into their wallets and put an additional 4.5 percent of their monthly salary into the state pension plan, money that the state normally contributes as part of the contract. Both Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, and Colorado WINS have come out questioning the decision.

Bill to end collective bargaining dies in senate committee

A bill to end collective bargaining by state employees was killed yesterday in committee, surprising no one. Bill sponsor, Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, said he would likely take up the issue again as Colorado “head[s] toward a fiscal apocalypse” and noted that House Republicans had similar legislation in the works.

Jim Kerr’s PERA bill would chop PERA members from board

A bill to radically change the composition of the PERA board has been introduced by Rep. Jim Kerr, R-Littleton. His bill would reduce the number of members elected by PERA participants and replace them with political appointees.

Hickenlooper would retain Ritter order on state employee partnerships

Denver Mayor and candidate for governor John Hickenlooper plans to retain Gov. Bill Ritter’s executive order authorizing state-employee partnerships, or lesser-grade labor unions, at least for now, his campaign told the Colorado independent Wednesday. “We believe it makes sense to leave the order in place and to ensure that it is followed while it is evaluated,” George Merritt, spokesperson for the campaign said.

Largest union campaign a success in Colorado

In less than a year, Colorado’s 32,000 state employees have been unionized in what was considered to be the largest labor organizing campaign in the nation.

State workers overwhelmingly approve employee partnerships

Five occupational groups of state employees voted resoundingly to join a union on Wednesday, after months of organizing for what has been called the largest union membership campaign in the country.

More than 6,000 eligible state workers…

Union Coalition Secures State Worker Ballots

At least three groups of state employees will participate in a mail-in vote to unionize under a labor coalition after ballot petitions passed one of the last administrative hurdles earlier this week.

State Employees Are Organizers in Country’s Largest Union Campaign

Colorado employees are participating in the largest union campaign in the nation in a push organize 32,000 state workers, according to union officials with a local labor coalition.

…

Colorado State Troopers Form Union

State troopers in Colorado have voted to form a union, according to Colorado WINS, a labor union coalition seeking to organize approximately 32,000 state workers.

…