A major battle is brewing at the state Capitol, where unions plan to push for legislation they say would give workers “more freedom to negotiate workplace safety and better wages,” but which business groups say would upend a system critical to attracting and retaining business. Colorado is economically competitive.

At issue is the Labor Peace Act’s requirement that two elections be held in order to form a union and establish “union security.” The first election must be won by a simple majority, while the second must receive the approval of at least 75%. Colorado is the only state with a second vote for which a supermajority is required.

Several business groups said the proposed changes could undo what has been a successful pitch to out-of-state companies to consider moving or expanding to Colorado.

Companies considering doing business in Colorado are attracted by its employer-friendly labor policies, said the business groups, including the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Denver Chamber of Commerce, Council of Colorado Competition and Colorado Concern.

In a press release, the Denver chamber said Colorado risks “losing critical opportunities for job creation and economic growth” if the proposed changes are adopted. The group said that when companies evaluate whether to locate or expand operations, they consider a state’s “right to work” status. Colorado, business groups say, has a unique approach – one

“a carefully crafted compromise that has stood the test of time, ensuring our state remains competitive with national site selectors.”

“The Labor Peace Act has been a cornerstone of Colorado’s economic success for decades,” said JJ Ament, president and CEO of the Denver Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “It is unwise to dismantle this proven compromise now, while our economy is still in recovery. It’s not just bad for businesses, it’s bad for Coloradans. Forcing employees to pay into unions increases costs. costs for workers who are already struggling to make ends meet We “We are fighting for everyday Coloradans who need stability, and we will fight vigorously to protect the Labor Peace Act and keep Colorado competitive. .”

“Union security” is an agreement between the union and the company requiring all workers, including non-union workers, to pay union dues.

The proposal is supported by Colorado Worker Rights United, a recently formed affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), as well as Senate Majority Leader Sen. Robert Rodriguez, Democrat of Denver, and Sen. Jessie Danielson, Democrat of Wheat Ridge. . According to Worker Rights United, the bill would give Colorado workers more freedom to negotiate workplace safety and better wages by eliminating the requirement for a second election.

“Colorado is the only state that requires a second election to ensure union security, which poses an additional obstacle for workers who want the freedom to bargain to put more money in the pockets of working families, reduce wealth gap and increase worker safety. Rodriguez said Tuesday at the Colorado Worker Rights United rally: “Aligning Colorado’s worker laws with those of most other states requiring a single election will allow workers to oppose a level playing field.” with employers.

“Colorado’s workers are the engine of our economy and make our state the incredible place it is,” Danielson said. “Every worker deserves a safe place to do their job, fair pay for the hard work they have done, protection from retaliation, and a seat. at the table when it comes to decisions about their own jobs and workplaces. The Worker Protection Act will remove unnecessary barriers to forming a union and expand workers’ rights and freedoms.

In conflicting statements, groups pushing for changes to labor laws and business groups laid out their arguments for and against the proposal.

The unions said Coloradans are “safer when ordinary workers have the union protection they need to stand up to employers.”

“For example,” the groups said, “we all win when union nurses feel they can speak up for patient care, construction workers are able to identify unsafe buildings and working conditions and that hospitality workers feel protected when raising food safety concerns, such as McDonald’s recent E coli issues.

Meanwhile, Loren Furman, president and CEO of the Colorado Chamber, said the proposal “(would) disrupt the balance we have achieved between business and workers.”

“Colorado Concern has always opposed any effort to weaken our existing Labor Peace Act, because its statutory framework provides the right balance to ensure a healthy relationship between business and workers in this state,” added Dave Davia, Chairman and CEO of Colorado Concern. “Colorado’s Labor Peace Act has provided a happy medium between state right-to-work and union state laws for more than 70 years.”

The 2025 legislative session begins January 8.