State workers approve union representation
10,000 more soon will vote on whether to join
By Myung Oak Kim, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published June 13, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
One in four state employees will now have union representation because of an election that ended Wednesday, and thousands more are expected to vote soon on whether to join them. But workplace changes - if there are any - are not expected for months, if not next year.
Over the past three weeks, the state sent ballots to more than 20,000 state workers - including secretaries, bridge engineers and snow plow drivers - asking whether they want Colorado WINS to represent them in negotiations with government employers.
A third of those workers mailed back ballots and 80 percent of them voted yes, said Colorado WINS spokeswoman Dawn Le.
In coming weeks, another group of more than 10,000 state employees will vote on whether they want to be represented by Colorado WINS.
New organization
Colorado WINS is a new organization composed of the American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Colorado Association of Public Employees - Service Employees International Union.
The union drive was made possible by an executive order signed in November by Gov. Bill Ritter. That order established recognition of state employee unions and allows for a nonbinding form of collective bargaining.
The order applied to about 32,000 of the estimated 70,000 to 90,000 state workers, Le said. The eligible employees are divided into eight categories.
One group, about 800 state patrol troopers and other employees, voted in March to unionize, Le said.
Five other groups voted in this latest round.
The final two groups, more than 10,000 financial and professional workers, are preparing for a vote.
The recent votes represent a major advancement for the union movement.
GOP criticizes Ritter
Until now, about 6,000 state workers were members of unions, but those organizations had no power to negotiate contracts and were not recognized by the state.
Republicans attacked Ritter for opening the door to unions.
"In a faltering economy . . . I think it's an extremely bad thing," said Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs. "I think the impact over the next few years will be dramatic. These are the largest government employees unions in the country. Everywhere they have gone, they have dramatically driven up the cost of government."
Evan Dreyer, Ritter's spokesman, said that isn't true. He said the legislature has a huge amount of control over the budget.
Dreyer also emphasized that the new union does not have traditional collective bargaining powers. The talks are not binding. Any wage or benefits increases need to be approved by the legislature.
Some state workers hailed the development.
Karen Esau, an administrative assistant at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said she feels empowered.
"This has been something we've needed for a long time," said the 63-year-old from Aurora. "We've got a voice now that we've never had before."
kimm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2361
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June 13, 2008
1:41 a.m.
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ghostmaes writes:
Since 1970 the middle class has lost political influence and economic stability. In 1970 1 in every 3 persons in this country belonged to a union. Now it is 12%.
It is no coincidence that the shrinking middle class and shrinking union membership go hand in hand. It is an organized and communicating workforce that holds the multi national corporations accountable.
It is no secret that the Enron's, Providians and other major corporate thieves have been stealing us blind. While the middle class is being divided and conquered thru union busting.
If you work for a living this is a victory for you. If you care for this state and the well being and health of state employees this is a victory. If you love this country when it has a strong, active and polticially powerful middle class this is a victory!