‘Right-to-work’ splits business groups

Amendment 47 aims to change Colorado’s 65-year-old law governing the relationship between employers, employees and unions. However, its appearance on the ballot has incited a political standoff that is forcing it onto the back burner.

The amendment – titled Prohibition on Mandatory Labor Union Membership and Dues but known as “right-to-work” – would eliminate any requirement that an employee pay for union dues or the cost of collective bargaining as a condition of employment.

The Colorado Labor Peace Act of 1943 currently governs the relationship between employers, employees and unions. In addition to the federally mandated majority vote for union formation,…