Colorado Senate OKs state workers' 'no-strike' bill

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/03/17/daily19.html

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 11:41 AM MDT

Denver Business Journal - by Bob Mook Denver Business Journal

Colorado senators on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a bill intended to strengthen Gov. Bill Ritter's executive order that prohibits state workers from striking and allows unions to represent their interests in labor negotiations.

House Bill 1189, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, prohibits state employees from encouraging, participating or condoning a strike.

The bill was approved in a close vote with some Democrats saying it takes away state workers' basic rights and some Republicans arguing that the bill doesn't go far enough in penalizing workers who go on strike.

Republicans' attempts to raise fines and prohibit unions from forcing state employees to become members failed.

Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, voted in favor of the bill, saying it was "necessary but not adaquate."

Last year, Ritter signed an executive order that allowed unions to particpate in labor negotiations for state workers.

FULL story at link.