Labor unions set for another showdown with Colorado governor
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Photo Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Aaron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
A high-stakes political showdown is pitting the Democratic governor against his party and its top ally, labor unions, at the end of the legislative session for the second straight year.
Why it matters: The measure makes it easier to form labor unions and now heads to Gov. Jared Polis — even though he's vowed to veto it.
Driving the news: The Legislature sent Polis the bill Tuesday after a party-line, 43-22 vote in the state House.
- The bill would repeal a unique requirement in Colorado law that forces a union to win a second vote with supermajority support before it can extract dues and collectively bargain with employers.
Democratic lawmakers touted the benefits of unions to uplift working people while Republicans countered by focusing on how the measure would hurt businesses.
- It pitted Democratic lawmakers and labor unions against the state's powerful business lobby, which argued the bill would hurt Colorado's competitiveness.
- The two sides spent months negotiating behind the scenes, but talks ended last weekend without a deal.
What they're saying: A few lawmakers took aim directly at Polis. "Sign this bill," Rep. Sheila Lieder urged emphatically from the House floor.
Between the lines: From the start, the governor put himself in the middle of the debate, urging both sides to compromise, or else.
- Polis even tried to trade his support for passage of other hot-button bills, such as restaurant wages and expanding charter schools, the Denver Post reported.
- With no agreement, he is expected to reject the bill.
Flashback: The 2024 session ended with discord between Polis and unions after the governor vetoed three labor bills, including a measure to address wage theft for construction workers.
The other side: The parallel is evident to labor leaders who are pushing for Polis to sign the legislation.
- "Once again, we urge Governor Polis to stand with Colorado's nurses, construction workers and service employees … instead of siding with billionaire CEOs and corporate consultants trying to maintain the status quo that hurts working Coloradans," said Dennis Dougherty, co-chair of Colorado Worker Rights United and Colorado AFL-CIO executive director, in a statement.
What's next: Polis has 30 days after receiving the final act to consider whether to sign or veto the bill.