Conditions of employment should be a matter between a worker and his boss, not a politicized labor union.

More on that in a moment on the Face The State Radio Minute.

At the height of the industrial revolution, labor unions served an important purpose in protecting workers from harsh, often illegal working conditions. But today, in 2008, the disputes are invariably over pay, benefits and time off – not life, limb and safety.

So goes the logic of those who support Amendment 47, a measure on this November’s ballot to prohibit union membership as a condition of employment. The Greeley Tribune said it’s “extortion and exploitation” to require an employee to join a union against his will.

I recently told you about the millions of dollars in out-of-state money pouring into Colorado to oppose right-to-work. That brazen transfer of members’ hard-earned money across state lines - to play politics - is exactly why many people eschew union membership. Freedom of association – a fundamental right – covers the freedom not to associate, too.

For FaceTheState.com, I’m Brad Jones.