By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics
As the fight over proposed changes to an 80-year-old labor law takes shape, unions and businesses have begun sharpening their arguments, with both sides notably claiming their approach is best for Colorado’s economy.
Indeed, the two sides are pointing to economic reports and studies in an effort to strengthen their position among lawmakers ahead of next year’s legislative session. At least one legislative leader said she wants both sides to have a say in any effort to change the labor law.
Established in 1943, the law, called the Labor Peace Act, governs unionization and collective bargaining agreements. While the other 49 states are either “right to work” states — meaning employees aren’t required to union be members or to pay a “representation” fee as a condition of employment — or not, Colorado’s law is uniquely somewhere in the middle.