Ballot fight brews below the border (Coors backs right to work in Colorado)

[Omaha Steve]

I used to drink Coors and then Extra Gold. Haven't touched them since I learned about the views and influence of the Coors family. Miller Genuine is my union made beer of choice. Has been for years.

http://www.trib.com/articles/2008/05/04/editorial/colum...

Sunday, May 4, 2008 2:06 AM MDT

JOAN BARRON

CHEYENNE -- On the National Right to Work Web site, Colorado is identified as a "forced unionism state." This means it is not one of the 22 states that have adopted right-to-work laws.

A move is on to change that situation through a right-to-work ballot initiative in the November general election. Voters will be asked to change the Colorado constitution to say that workers cannot be required to join a union or pay union dues.

Right-to-work supporters began planning the initiative in earnest late last year after Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter signed an executive order to create a bargaining partnership with state workers, a move strongly opposed by businesses and Republicans, according to published reports.

This should be a dandy big-ticket fight. Initiative supporters, including Jonathan Coors of the brewery family and American Furniture Warehouse, are expected to spend millions of dollars to sell the amendment to Colorado voters.

The unions are fighting back through a labor-sponsored coalition that is raising money from labor unions and individuals to defeat the right-to-work amendment.

Wyoming, meanwhile, has been a right-to-work state since 1963, when the Legislature adopted the law on a vote along party lines with the Republicans for and most Democrats opposed.


FULL story at link.