Colorado governor vetoes another union bill

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/06/05/ap6509485.html

By STEVEN K. PAULSON , 06.05.09, 09:45 AM EDT

DENVER -- Gov. Bill Ritter vetoed a bill that would have allowed firefighters to unionize Thursday, finishing work on the remaining bills from this year's legislative session.

The bill would have given firefighters the right to unionize without local government approval.

Ritter, who has angered unions with three other vetoes since he took office, said the decision of whether to allow firefighters to unionize should be left to local governments. He said he still supports unions and firefighters, but he chose to support bills this year that help all workers who are struggling with the faltering economy, not just union members.

"As the son of a union member, and a former union member myself in earlier years, I have long believed that collective bargaining can create a positive working relationship for public sector employees and local governments," Ritter said.

He said local firefighters can already get collective bargaining rights with voter approval of their communities.

Ritter said the claims by firefighters that they need collective bargaining to address equipment purchases and safety issues will be reviewed by the Department of Public Safety and if legislation is needed, they can do it next year.

Unions reacted swiftly.

"When he campaigned, he made it clear he was behind the labor movement. We're tired of seeing bill after bill falling to his pen. He's not the man we thought we were electing," said Steve Vairma, secretary treasurer of Teamsters Local 455.

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