Posts tagged Colorado
Unions make gains in Colorado
February 22, 2023 // On January 31, 2023, a proposed bill entitled “Public Employees’ Workplace Protection” (SB23-111) that would give public unions more power and influence in the workplace. The sponsors are State Senator Robert Rodriguez (D) and State Representative Steven Woodrow (D). The legislation would impact public employees such as county or municipal workers, general assembly staffers, school district employees, higher education employees, public defenders’ officers, University of Colorado and Denver hospital authorities, fire authorities, and members of board of cooperative services. Multiple unions have already endorsed the bill. The Communications Workers of America 7799 (CWA), which is affiliated with AFL-CIO and represents public defenders, education employees, healthcare employees, and library workers, said the bill would protect workers from retaliation from employers.
Feds settle with Colorado trucking firm in discrimination case
December 19, 2022 // The department began an investigation of Navajo Express after a non-U.S. citizen filed a complaint alleging the company refused to accept valid documentation proving permission to work. The company also allegedly demanded a different document from the applicant. The investigation found the company routinely required lawful permanent residents to show their permanent resident cards, commonly called “green cards,” to prove they had permission to work although the applicants had already presented other valid documentation. The investigation also found the company had a policy of unlawfully requiring permanent residents to provide new permanent resident cards when their old permanent resident cards expired.
Uber and Lyft drivers strike over pay at Denver International Airport
November 28, 2022 // Car horns were blazing as members of Colorado Independent Drivers United, a union representing Uber, Lyft, and Doordash drivers, held a four-hour strike at Denver International Airport Saturday. The drivers also shut off their apps during that period. It is unclear how much of an impact the strike had on travelers looking for rides out of DIA. Uber stated that it did not see an impact on service at the airport. CIDU posted on Twitter that it had “near-total participation” from drivers. Transportation Network Companies (TNC) Act of 2014, Driver Advisory Council,
EDITORIAL: Starbucks strike unveils the downside of unions
November 18, 2022 // Colorado’s Democratic legislature and governor aren’t likely to consider a right-to-work law. In recent years, they have expanded options for public sector unionization, a move to counter plummeting private sector membership. Voters rejected a right-to-work ballot measure in 2012. Over 10-plus years, dynamics have changed. Voters have twice chosen to lower income taxes for employees, so they may be open to protecting them from compulsory and coercive unions. When union contracts can’t keep up with market forces, they burden their members — as acknowledged on Thursday. Under these circumstances, the law should free all workers, public and private, from compulsory membership and dues. Maybe it is time to try the ballot again, in a serious effort to protect employees and their and their jobs.
Op-ed: Nothing Does More to Weaken Unions Than Union Leaders
November 2, 2022 // In 2018, before the Janus decision affirmed that teachers can refuse to support their unions’ radical politics, the CTA boasted 310,000 members. Today that number stands at 280,000 — a loss of more than 30,000 members and $36 million a year in lost dues revenue — much of which would have gone into campaign coffers to buy elected officials who would serve Big Labor’s interests.
Union turns blind eye to “pervasive” sexual harassment
October 14, 2022 // Teamsters Local 455 in Colorado was accused of fostering a hostile work environment for allowing ‘pervasive’ sexual harassment. The union is charged with violating federal law for failing to take action against its business agent, despite being notified that he had sexually harassed and verbally assaulted female staff. Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act protects the union’s employees from harassment at work. It also requires Local 455 to respond to sexual harassment complaints by supervisors, between coworkers, or involving customers or clients. A union representative, however, has no legal duty to review or respond to sexual harassment claims by union members. Though, they can take on that duty in their own Codes of Conduct or collective bargaining agreements. Eisenberg & Baum, LLP, a New York-based law firm whose gender discrimination and sexual harassment attorneys work with employees in unions across the country, explains, however, that may not always lead to the best outcome
Voodoo Doughnut workers unionize in second attempt
October 13, 2022 // The vote came after a previous union campaign in 2021 ended in a 9-9 tie, meaning a loss for the union. But after a year, the tide shifted. Union supporters changed tactics for the 2022 campaign in response to feedback from coworkers. Some workers wanted to minimize picketing and marching on the boss, both of which were part of the prior year effort.
Why Teachers Are Going on Strike This Fall—and What Could Come Next
September 21, 2022 //
King Soopers Workers Successfully Challenge Illegal UFCW Union Strike Fines with National Right to Work Legal Aid
August 16, 2022 // In Hall’s case, the union recently backed down, rescinding the union’s illegal fine threat in a letter dated July 27, essentially acknowledging that it broke federal law. Other workers have also successfully challenged union boss fine threats following the January strike. With free legal representation from Foundation staff attorneys, worker Yen Chan challenged the union’s authority to issue a $3,552.48 fine, with union officials backing down rather than face further legal action. At least two other King Soopers workers also successfully challenged thousands of dollars in UFCW strike fines using information provided by National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation staff attorneys. Nick Hall, Marcelo Ruybal, Hope Schaefer, Yen Chan,
Employees at Trader Joe’s store in western Massachusetts vote to form chain’s first union
July 29, 2022 // Workers from at least two other Trader Joe’s locations have initiated unionization efforts. Employees at a Minneapolis location have a union vote scheduled for Aug. 11 and 12, while the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 on Tuesday filed a union election petition with the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of crew members at a Boulder, Colorado store. Trader Joe's workers are part of a nationwide wave of employees at major companies who have or are attempting to unionize in an effort to secure a bigger say in their work conditions and compensation. Hadley, CEO Dan Bane, pay, benefits, safety, Maeg Yosef, Nakia Rohde,