DISQUS

josh · 1 year ago

Hi Andrew, hope you are doing well. Not sure if you wanted to start a debate on your positions, but amendment 47 effects a lot of people. For instance, my mother is a teacher (and happens to be a conservative republican). She is forced to join a labor union and spend $500 per year on dues. She has no choice. The dues seem to go toward incredibly partisan attacks against the politics my mother supports. She is disgusted that her money is spent in such a way, yet she has no ability to change it. To me this isn't a divisive issue, it is about allowing for choice and not prohibiting it. The workers not only gain more freedom by being empowered with choice, but they can also reclaim their money and do what they will with it. So, to sum it up, there is tremendous value at stake for workers and it should not be a divisive issue at all. If you want to be part of a union, so be it. If not, you should not be forced to join one.

Jared K. · 1 year ago

I'd love to hear your take on County & City issues too, Andrew. Any chance we could see that?

Andrew Hyde · 1 year ago

I agree with you, in that you should be able to choose to be a part of a union. But to put this in the constitution is wrong. Also, Unions are only as strong as their weakest members. If their members are strong, so is the union, and part of that is being representative of their fellow members. This change should happen from within.

Luca · 1 year ago

I think that the fact that certain Colorado workers are forced to pay taxes to non-governmental, highly partisan organizations is ludicrous enough that the principle of Amendment 47 is worth enshrining in the State constitution. And, FYI, I am of political convictions quite different from Josh's mother...

Andrew Hyde · 1 year ago

So if you interview for a Union job, and get it, with all the work and rights the Union has spent years building, you should be able to opt out upon hiring...

Andrew Hyde · 1 year ago

Hmmm... let me take a look.

Luca · 1 year ago

Quick answer: yes. Long answer: Unions have had a critical role in the history of this country. But when I say historical, in most cases I mean many decades ago. In more recent times, there have been bright spots where a progressive, enlightened union leadership has helped an industry move forward. Take, for example, United Steelworkers' Leo Gerard - his constructive, reasonable, pragmatic approach helped keep a critical US industry from its deathbed to a renaissance. Unfortunately, other examples are less heartwarming: - I don't think that there's any doubt about UAW's role in making sure that the US auto industry is dead for good. - Teachers' unions are staunchly opposed to linking pay to performance. They want salaries to depend only on seniority. 'Nuf said. - My personal brush with unions is with electricians at trade shows, and... don't get me started. More specifically to your point, I don't see the logic of having to pay for something done in the past. Past union activities (good or bad) were paid by past union dues. Past union activities (good or bad) are no guarantee of good union activities in the future. I just loathe the concept of unions as taxing authorities. If you are a good, young school teacher, the union you are forced to support is actively working against you.

Luca · 1 year ago

One more small, semantic observation: you shouldn't be able to opt out - you should be able to opt in. Unions should be voluntary organizations.

Andrew Hyde · 1 year ago

I believe you can opt in by applying for the job :)

Andrew Hyde · 1 year ago

Points well taken.

jamesoclark · 1 year ago

For Boulder County residences use the Quick Reference Voter Guide as a cheat sheet: <a href="http://media.dailycamera.com/bdc/content/static/2..." target="_blank"><a href="http://media.dailycamera.com/bdc/content... Go through the issues before hand, fill out your responses on the guide prior to showing up at your polling place, then quickly fill our your voter card. This will speed up the time you take in the voter's booth, reduce the lines (as Andrew mentions vote early, it only took me 15 minutes) plus you won't question yourself after reading the Orwellian descriptions of the issue that appear on the ballot.

Chris Otwell · 1 year ago

Problem with that thought though... If a Job is a union job (esp the Electrical Brothers Union), you can't opt out of either paying the dues, or the benefits of it. Collective Bargaining Law generally requires the Union involvement, coverage, and fees.