Senate committee
The president of a group representing builders and contractors said he's "surprised and frustrated" that the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday reinstated language in a bill contractors say strengthens union power in the state.
The House of Representatives approved House Bill 1170, sponsored by Rep. John Soper, D-Thornton, and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, on March 5.
But amid concerns from contractors who testified against the bill, the Senate Business Affairs and Labor Committee modified the proposal on March 26, essentially delaying new union hiring or training requirements until after an interim committee can study the effects of the legislation.
Tochtrop later said she opposed the change and would ask the appropriations committee to strike it.
Senate Democrats on Wednesday agreed with Tochtrop in a party-line vote.
Mark Latimer, president of the Associated Builders and Contractors, said the bill as currently written tilts the playing field in favor of organized labor payday loan.
"This is really a union bill," Latimer said,
But Latimer said if the full Senate and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter approve the law, the proposal would impose a financial and bureaucratic burden on contractors — particularly those in rural areas.
Latimer claims the new requirements for electrical apprentice training could force contractors to lay off workers or go out of business.
Union leaders say the bill would help ensure safety and well-being of electricians and their apprentices.
The bill has been modified significantly since it was introduced. Originally, HB 1170 limited journeymen electricians to one apprentice each, instead of three permitted in current law. Critics said the proposal was calculated to force the hiring of more union electricians.
The bill now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.
Filed under: economics by Guru