Anti-worker amendments would upset economy
As the national economic crisis grows worse by the day, and hundreds of thousands of Americans stand to lose their livelihood, now is not the time to upset the economic balance that has prevailed in Colorado for the past 60 years.
However, a number of divisive measures on this year's ballot - amendments 47, 49, and 54 - have threatened this balance and would undermine our strong economy, which has allowed the state to attract jobs and investment. Recognizing the threat posed by these amendments, an unprecedented coalition of Colorado's business community, labor leaders, and elected officials have come together to oppose these three measures. If the narrow, ideological agenda in these amendments prevails, it would dismiss the best interests of Colorado.
In arguing for the passage of Amendment 47, known as right-to-work, The Gazette referenced CNBC's most recent survey of America's Top States for Business and pointed to the fact that 10 of the 12 states best for businesses are right-to-work states. It failed to mention however, that Colorado is ranked the 7th best state for business in the nation, and outpaces five of the six neighboring states that have right-to-work laws in place.
The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has pointed out that Colorado's competitiveness and job growth is equal or better than many right-to-work states.
Not only does Amendment 47 pit businesses against their employees, but it's superfluous to existing law. Federal law already prohibits an employer from requiring union membership as a condition of employment, and Colorado's 1943 Labor Peace Act makes it nearly impossible to coerce workers into joining unions or paying agency fees against their will.
The Gazette admitted that Amendment 49, the paycheck protection measure, is a "conflict few in Colorado wanted to see." In this it is correct - Amendment 49 is the result of a narrow, special-interest agenda that targets the rights of public employees in Colorado, including law enforcement officials, firefighters and teachers, who provide vital services.
Amendment 49 will interfere with the personal choice of working Coloradans over how they want to spend their hard-earned paychecks. Private businesses let employees deduct portions of their pay, like health insurance premium payments and contributions to nonprofit charities such as the United Way. Our firefighters, nurses, teachers and law enforcement should not be excluded from having deductions made from their paychecks just because of the profession they choose.
Finally, Amendment 54 is poorly written and potentially violates court rulings that protect free speech. Amendment 54 would prohibit any person (or family member of anyone) who works on a single-source government contract from contributing to a candidate or advocating for an issue at any level for the length of the contract and for two years after.
Amendment 54 could especially affect small business in rural areas of the state where single-source contracts are common - not because of government "kickbacks," but because there are simply fewer vendors in such areas to compete for bids.
This measure goes too far, is unnecessary, and it unfairly silences the voices of small businesses in the political process.
If passed, any or all of these amendments would shift the balance business and labor leaders in Colorado have maintained for 60 years. The current structure preserves our state's economic stability and allows for the greatest amount of flexibility.
Colorado's business, labor, and political leaders agree that dividing communities and interfering in the relationship between employers and employees won't help our state. Instead of pushing dangerous ideological agendas, Coloradans should be working together to kick-start our economy and grow good-paying jobs.
Vote no on amendments 47, 49 and 54.
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Hamill is the chairman and CEO of Oakwood Homes. Isenberg is the president and CEO of Sage Hospitality. Both are members of Colorado Concern and Colorado Businesses for Sensible Solutions.
