CYD Endorses HB26-1005: Worker Protection Collective Bargaining

The Colorado Young Democrats believe that workers deserve a fair chance to engage in healthy discourse regarding their workplace. That starts with the ability to organize and bargain. HB26-1005 brings Colorado back into the 21st century rather than continuing with our aging, nearly century-old unionization process. This bill would remove the pointless second election required to establish a union in the workplace, as well as put in place some common-sense requirements like good-faith bargaining.

The current process to establish a union involves two votes. The first is a simple vote to create the body of the union. It just needs approval from over 50% of eligible union members. However, as the law stands right now, union dues are difficult to collect after just this vote, as they are not compulsory at all.

In order for dues to automatically be collected, a second vote needs 75% approval from all eligible voters. This is a near insurmountable task in many instances and creates a significant barrier to many aspiring to improve their working conditions.

Eliminating this secondary vote and allowing unions to determine how to handle dues themselves gives workers in Colorado the ability to determine their own way forward.

Allowing more unions to form benefits Colorado immensely. Union employees, on average, make more than their non-union counterparts. With that, union workers are more likely to own a home, less likely to face demographic-based wage gaps, and see stronger workplace health and safety standards.

The Colorado Young Democrats urge lawmakers to pass HB26-1005 and give the working people of Colorado a realistic path to collective bargaining and representation in the workplace. This bill is headed to the senate next so please call your senators to voice your support.

📖Read about the bill here: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1005

🔎Find your Colorado legislators here: https://leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator