Senate Votes to Advance Worker Protection Act

Legislation would update the 80-year old Colorado Labor Peace Act

DENVER, CO – The Colorado Senate today advanced Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, and Senator Jessie Danielson’s, D-Wheat Ridge, legislation to update Colorado’s labor law on a preliminary vote.

SB25-005, the “Worker Protection Act,” would update the Colorado Labor Peace Act by eliminating the requirement for employees to conduct a second election to negotiate a union security agreement clause in the collective bargaining process.

“Colorado is the only state that requires a second election to achieve union security, putting up an additional obstacle for workers who want the freedom to negotiate to put more money in the pockets of working families, decrease the wealth gap and increase worker safety,” said Rodriguez. “Aligning Colorado’s workers’ laws with most other states requiring only one election will empower workers to stand up to level the playing field with corporate employers.”

“We have an obligation to do right by hardworking Coloradans who are demanding we pass the Worker Protection Act,” said Danielson. “It is time we change the 80-year-old law that makes it hard for workers to unionize. Let’s make it easier for workers to get better pay, better benefits, and more safety on the job, and pass the Worker Protection Act.”

Currently, Colorado labor law requires two elections for workers seeking to form a union and collect dues: one that meets the federal standard set by the ​​National Labor Relations Act and a second election which must be won by a supermajority approval of at least 75 percent of those who vote, or 50 percent plus one of all employees eligible to vote, whichever is greater. The proposed legislation would modernize the Colorado Labor Peace Act by repealing the requirement for the second election.

SB25-005 will be heard on third reading in the Senate before moving to further consideration by the House. Track the bill’s progress HERE.