DENVER -- Republican state leaders chastised Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter Monday for issuing an executive order giving the state's 49,000 workers the right to join unions.

Republicans said union organizers are disrupting state government to solicit new members.

Republicans accused the governor of bypassing the Legislature by issuing an executive order and asked him to delay the plan so lawmakers can study it.

Ritter's spokesman Evan Dreyer said there are no plans for a delay. He said it's up to each department to set rules on union organizing.

Ritter said his order does not call for binding arbitration and does not require employees to join an employee organization or pay fees if they don't join.

Under current law, state employees can join unions, but the unions act more as lobbying firms than collective bargainers.

Ritter's order authorizes "partnership agreements" that he said allows workers to meet with management to discuss concerns.