State to Unionize State Employees

[Eric P]

In a letter we received today via e-mail:

Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs & Services Act

Dear State Employee,

On January 20, 2020, the ?Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act? was introduced in the General Assembly as House Bill 20-1153 (Bill). The Bill recognizes Colorado WINS (WINS) as the certified employee organization, also known as a union, for most classified employees. We are sending you this letter to inform you about the Bill?s essential terms.

The State of Colorado and Colorado WINS are promoting legislation that will allow state employees a collective voice about wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment, because state employees are valued partners providing vital public services. Additionally, we have a shared commitment to working collaboratively to ensure that Colorado residents have access to the best possible public services.
Background
In November 2007, Governor Ritter signed Executive Order D 028 07 ?Authorizing Partnership Agreements with State Employees.? Shortly thereafter, elections of eligible state employees were held across the state. Separate elections were in each of the following units: Administrative Support and Related Services, Enforcement & Protective Services, Health Care Services, Labor, Trades & Crafts, Physical Sciences & Engineering, Financial Services, and Professional Services. In June 2008, more than 50% of the eligible employees who voted in each unit selected to be represented by WINS. As WINS is currently the certified employee organization pursuant to Executive Order D 028 07, the Bill recognizes WINS as the union representing all covered employees.
Collective Bargaining
Collective bargaining is the process by which an employer and union negotiate terms of a partnership agreement also known as a collective bargaining agreement. During negotiations, all covered employees will be represented by WINS, and the agreement topics may include wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment.
Partnership Agreements
Assuming the Bill passes, it will be effective July 1, 2020. At that time, the State and WINS will negotiate in good faith to enter into the first partnership agreement in late 2020.

The State and WINS will collectively bargain over wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment for covered employees. A partnership agreement is the contract that reflects the agreement made between the State and WINS.

If the State and WINS reach an impasse in the formation of a partnership agreement, they may ask for mediation on unresolved issues. The mediator will issue a recommendation on the outstanding issues.

A partnership agreement that is reached by the State and WINS is legally enforceable and binding on both parties. A grievance procedure exists to resolve disputes that arise under the executed partnership agreement.
Employee Ratification
Covered employees will have the opportunity to ratify the first two partnership agreements. Thereafter, eligibility requirements for ratification of partnership agreements will be determined by WINS members.
Covered Employees
WINS is required to represent all covered employees in collective bargaining in the formation and execution of a partnership agreement. Generally, covered employees are employees in the state personnel system, also known as classified employees. There are, however, exceptions. Exceptions include: confidential employees, managerial employees, executive employees, administrative law judges, hearing officers, state troopers, employees in the legislative branch, and temporary employees. This means that even if these employees are in the classified system, they are not covered employees.

WINS members are covered employees who pay membership dues and are entitled to all of the rights and privileges of membership under the Colorado WINS constitution and bylaws.
Rights of Covered Employees
Covered employees have the right to join and assist WINS, to engage in activities for the purpose of the partnership process, to communicate with each other about WINS. Covered employees also have the right not to engage in these activities without interference, restraint, or coercion by the State or WINS.

Further, covered employees may not strike, engage in work stoppage, work slowdown, group sickout or similar activities that disrupts the day-to-day functioning of the State or any of its agencies or departments. Engaging in any of these activities is the subject of disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Personal Information
The Bill requires WINS to represent all covered employees. The State is obligated to provide WINS with home address, personal and cellular phone numbers, and personal email address for each covered employee. The Bill also provides a process by which covered employees can direct the State to not provide this information to WINS.
Summary
The Bill goes into much more detail than can be outlined in this communication. We encourage you to read the complete Bill to understand the duties, responsibilities and rights of all parties, including you. You can find the complete Bill here.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to your HR representative who can facilitate getting you answers.

With appreciation,

Kara Veitch
State Personnel Director & Executive Director
Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration

This is going to cost the state. Call or email your reps.

Since 2013, out of 27,000 or so eligible employees, only 1875 signed up. This should be clear, state employees do not want the union.

I am trying to google the USSC decision that says you never have to pay for union membership to keep your job, nor pay for the negotiation share.

[SamuraiCO]

If they succeed it will cost us more $$$ in taxes. It just becomes a slush fund like the teacher's unions that negotiate with the same people they have given political contributions to get them elected. Wisconson Gov workers went bat chit crazy when GOP took control and did away with this. Remember they tried to recall Govenor three times. I will be calling but if the DNC wants this it will pass.

[kidicarus13]

Since 2013, out of 27,000 or so eligible employees, only 1875 signed up. This should be clear, state employees do not want the union.

1.) Some of those 27,000 state employees can't join the union

2.) Why pay dues when the majority of state employees receive the same benefits a union member does?

[Eric P]

1.) Some of those 27,000 state employees can't join the union

2.) Why pay dues when the majority of state employees receive the same benefits a union member does?

The 27 000 were eligible to join out of 40k or so. I have the legislature presentation at the office

[Eric P]

Also, as a manager, I can have no bias... fvck that, I am openly against the union and can not fake being neutral.

At least the group I manage is very conservative and all hate the union also.

[OneGuy67]

We cannot participate, not that we would want to.

[Zundfolge]

2.) Why pay dues when the majority of state employees receive the same benefits a union member does?

Because Colorado is not a Right to Work state so union membership can (and likely will) become mandatory.

[Cofaler]

Unions are parasites, just another legal way for money to be taken from people who actually contribute/produce by people who don't. They protect the poor performers by taking from the strong in the interest of "fairness". Unions hate members who get and maintain their jobs through their own skills, abilities, and work ethic. They love the lazy, inept lemmings who are constantly on the edge of getting fired or laid off so they can tell them, 'you wouldn't have this job if it wasn't for us', and they would be right.

[Great-Kazoo]

Unions are parasites, just another legal way for money to be taken from people who actually contribute/produce by people who don't. They protect the poor performers by taking from the strong in the interest of "fairness". Unions hate members who get and maintain their jobs through their own skills, abilities, and work ethic. They love the lazy, inept lemmings who are constantly on the edge of getting fired or laid off so they can tell them, 'you wouldn't have this job if it wasn't for us', and they would be right.

As a former state classified. I can say even w/out a union some of those SC's were only employed because they didn't screw up bad enough, to get terminated. Outside of sexual harassment or a racist comment, they were in for life.

My coworker when asked by a lifer SC, how come we get done so early when they can't? Said. That's because we don't have a state classified mentality. Guy just walked away.

[Zundfolge]

Even our first Socialist President (FDR) opposed public sector unions.