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Colorado: On The Ballot
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Voters Debate Labor Dues In Amendment 47

Big Battle Rages Over Which Way To Vote On Initiative

POSTED: 8:23 pm MDT October 2, 2008
UPDATED: 8:58 am MDT October 4, 2008

Amendment 47 would prohibit mandatory labor union dues.

"This simply says that regardless if you have a union or not, if you do decide to get unionized or you're currently unionized, you cannot force someone to participate in a labor union against their will," said Aurora City Councilmember Ryan Frazier.

Supporters of the so-called Colorado Right To Work Amendment said government employees already have this right. The measure would extend it to the private sector.

But opponents disagree. Firefighter Joel Heinemann said, "It's a deceptive amendment that will affect how firefighters are able to do their jobs and advocate for the things that we need."

Heinemann is featured in one of the TV ads. He said voting "yes" on Amendment 47 would do more harm than good.

"It would fragment our voice. It's important that when 135 firefighters are saying the same thing that they be heard as the same, and not fragmented, voice."

To learn about the reasons to support this initiative, check out www.abettercolorado.com.

To learn about the reasons to oppose this initiative, check out www.voteno47.com.

How do you feel about Amendment 47? Sound off in our online forum.


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