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DENVER, CO — A coalition of business and industry groups has released the findings of a recent scientific poll designed to gauge public opinion on proposed changes to the Labor Peace Act in SB25-005, which seeks to eliminate Colorado’s second vote on mandatory dues. Currently, the law requires a second vote by workers before union dues can be deducted from their paychecks as a condition of employment. The proposed bill would remove this vote, taking away workers’ say in how their wages are distributed. The poll results highlight a clear message from voters: the overwhelming majority of Coloradans oppose the changes outlined in this legislation.
Key findings revealed:
- 70% of voters oppose the removal of the second vote, including 46% who strongly oppose the changes.
- Only 25% support removing the second vote.
- 67% of voters oppose mandatory deductions of labor union dues from workers’ paychecks, regardless of their union membership status.
- Only 27% support mandatory dues deductions.
- Opposition to SB25-005 transcends political boundaries: 87% of Republicans, 72% of Independents, and 50% of Democrats oppose the removal of the second vote.
- Voter sentiment remains consistent across age demographics, with 66% of 18–34-year-olds, 70% of those aged 35-64, and 72% of individuals over 65 expressing disapproval.
- 64% of voters hold a favorable view of labor unions, demonstrating that the issue is not about union formation.
The poll was fielded January 6-8 to 507 likely Colorado voters by WPA Intelligence, a nationally known research firm based in Washington, DC. The poll has a margin of error of 4.4% and was commissioned by the Association of General Contractors, Colorado Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Competitive Council, Colorado Concern, Colorado Contractors Association, Colorado Hospital Association, Colorado Restaurant Association, Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
“The data is clear – mandatory wage deductions for union dues, whether an employee belongs to a union or not, is overwhelmingly unpopular with Colorado voters,” said Colorado Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Loren Furman “The Colorado Chamber supports the rights of workers to control their own paychecks, and we stand with the vast majority of Coloradans in opposition to SB 5.”
“Eliminating workers’ right to vote for or against wage garnishment for union dues doesn’t protect workers; it denies them consent and a say in how their hard-earned wages are spent. Who does this help? It helps union executives, not Colorado restaurant workers,” said Colorado Restaurant Association President and CEO Sonia Riggs.
Read the findings of the poll here.
About the Labor Peace Act
The Colorado Labor Peace Act, enacted in 1943, established a balanced framework for unionization that ensures broad worker support before implementing union security agreements. A key component of the Act is the “second vote” provision, which requires that, after a majority of workers vote to unionize, a second vote requiring at least a majority of all the employees eligible to vote or three-quarters or more of the employees who actually voted is needed to mandate union membership or dues as a condition of employment. This additional step ensures that union decisions reflect the will of a majority of the workforce, preventing a vocal minority from imposing union requirements on others. Colorado is the only state in the nation with this hybrid approach, combining aspects of right-to-work laws with union security provisions to strike a balance between individual freedoms and collective bargaining. The legislative effort to eliminate the second vote threatens to undermine this fairness by removing a critical safeguard designed to protect individual workers’ rights and foster workplace harmony. Dismantling this requirement would tilt the process in favor of union organizers at the expense of employees who may prefer to remain independent of union influence.
About Colorado Chamber of Commerce
The Colorado Chamber of Commerce champions free enterprise, a healthy business environment and economic prosperity for all Coloradans. It is the only business association that works to improve the business climate for all sizes of business from a statewide, multi-industry perspective. What the Colorado Chamber accomplishes is good for all businesses, and that’s good for the state’s economy. It was created in 1965 based on the merger with the Colorado Manufacturers’ Association.
About Colorado Restaurant Association
The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is the champion for our state’s restaurant and hospitality community. Founded in 1933, the CRA protects, promotes, and serves a $28+ billion industry comprised of more than 13,400 eating and drinking establishments and more than 303,000 workers, representing 11% of the state’s workforce.
About Associated General Contractors of Colorado
The AGC of Colorado is Colorado’s leading professional association for the state’s commercial building industry, representing over 600 firms. AGC/C provides benefits and business resources ranging from: networking opportunities in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and the Mountain Region; dynamic committees; innovative education programs; construction safety services including a CHASE Partnership Program with OSHA; advocacy at a local, state and national level and more. The membership of AGC/C is comprised of general contractors and specialty contractors (both union and non-union shops, public and privately owned; and, from very large to very small), suppliers and professional service providers.
About Colorado Contractors Association
The Colorado Contractors Association (CCA) is the leading professional association for infrastructure construction professionals across the state, bringing infrastructure to life through the power of advocacy, education and training and partnerships.
About Colorado Competitive Council
The Colorado Competitive Council advocates for public policy that ensures Colorado continues to be competitive locally and globally as a top state for business innovation and growth. With a diverse group of industry investors and regional partners, a systematic way of engaging emerging and veteran legislative leaders each year, and a collaborative approach to policy development, we ensure Colorado is a great place to work and live.
About Colorado Concern
Committed to a strong and vibrant future, Colorado Concern is an exclusive alliance of top executives with a common interest in enhancing and protecting the Centennial State’s business climate. We commit business leadership and financial resources to support legislative candidates and statewide policies that ensure a sound economic future for Colorado.
About Colorado Hospital Association
Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) is the leading voice of the Colorado hospital and health system community. Representing more than 100 hospitals and health systems throughout the state, CHA serves as a trusted, credible, and reliable resource on health issues, hospital data, and trends for its members, media, policymakers and the general public. Through CHA, Colorado’s hospitals and health systems work together in their shared commitment to improving health and health care in Colorado.
About the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation
Serving as the area’s largest chamber of commerce and economic development organization, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC works to build and maintain a superior business climate in which companies of all kinds can thrive. It supports existing and future local businesses to fuel a diverse economy and high quality of life.
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The Colorado Chamber of Commerce champions free enterprise, a healthy business environment and economic prosperity for all Coloradans. It is the only business association that works to improve the business climate for all sizes of business from a statewide, multi-industry perspective. What the Colorado Chamber accomplishes is good for all businesses, and that’s good for the state’s economy. It was created in 1965 based on the merger with the Colorado Manufacturers’ Association.