h_sa_2017a_2017-03-15t13:33:18z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/15/2017

Location: LSB A

03:41 PM -- SB17-055



Representative Everett, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-055. The bill prohibits an employer from requiring employee membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment and from requiring employees to pay dues or fees to a labor organization, charity, or other third party. Standing agreements that violate these prohibitions are made void. The bill also defines all-union agreements as unfair labor practices. Violations by employers are considered unclassified misdemeanors and are subject to civil and criminal penalties of a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment in county jail for up to 90 days, or both. Civil remedies include all damages and attorney fees resulting from the violation. The Attorney General or the district attorney of each judicial district is responsible for investigating complaints and taking actions to enforce the statute. Federal employers and employees, as well as those covered by the Railway Labor Act, are exempt from the bill.



03:44 PM -- Greg Mourad, National Right to Work Committee, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Mourad answered questions from the committee.



03:50 PM -- Tom Sullivan, American Postal Workers Union, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Sullivan answered questions from the committee.



03:56 PM -- Patti Kurgan, Americans for Prosperity, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Kurgan answered questions from the committee.





04:05 PM



Representative Everett made comments to the committee. Ms. Kurgan answered additional questions from the committee.



04:08 PM -- Tom Tuttle, United Association (UA) Local 208 Pipefitters, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Tuttle answered questions from the committee.



04:13 PM -- Mike Donahue, National Federation of Independent Business, testified in support of the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment A). Mr. Donahue answered questions from the committee.



17HouseState0315AttachA.pdf



04:19 PM -- Nick Colglazier, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment B). Mr. Colglazier answered questions from the committee.



17HouseState0315AttachB.pdf



04:25 PM -- Mark Latimer, Associated Builders and Contractors, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Latimer answered questions from the committee.



04:30 PM -- Naomi Perera, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Perera provided a handout to the committee (Attachment C).



17HouseState0315AttachC.pdf



04:36 PM -- David Nefzger, United Steel Workers and Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:41 PM -- Charles Perko, United Steel Workers District 12/Local 3267, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:44 PM -- Adam Stewart, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Stewart answered questions from the committee.



04:47 PM -- Jason Brown, IBEW Local 68, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:51 PM -- Jeff Cotton, UA Local 208 Pipefitters, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:54 PM -- Kay Holderness, UA Local 208 Pipefitters, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:59 PM -- Brandon Allen, UA Local 3 Plumbers, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:02 PM -- Fred Brethauer, UA Local 208 Pipefitters, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:07 PM -- Eric Berthelette, UA Local 3 Plumbers, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:13 PM -- Cheryl Hutchison, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:16 PM -- Jim Hansen, Teamsters, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:22 PM -- Steven Casteel, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:24 PM -- Mike Williams, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:27 PM -- Jon Alvino, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers 9, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:29 PM -- Ed Augden, Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans, testified in opposition to the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment D).



17HouseState0315AttachD.pdf



05:33 PM -- Mary Broderick, IBEW Local 68, testified in opposition to the bill. She provided several letters in opposition to the bill (Attachment E) and to the committee.



Attachment E can be viewed at Legislative Council.



05:40 PM



Representative Everett answered questions from the committee.



05:44 PM -- Kenneth Gavito, IBEW Local 68, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:46 PM -- David Flint Grossett, IBEW 68, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:49 PM -- Paul Pearson, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen - Colorado Legislative Board, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:52 PM -- Renee Johnson, United Steel Workers, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:55 PM -- Vicki Evans, Communication Workers of America, testified in opposition to the bill.



05:56 PM -- Kenneth Griffin, IBEW 12, testified in opposition to the bill.



06:00 PM -- Jeremy Ross, IBEW, testified in opposition to the bill.





06:02 PM



A letter from Peter Drake in opposition to the bill was submitted to the committee (Attachment F).



17HouseState0315AttachF.pdf



06:03 PM



Representative Everett made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members made comments about the bill.

06:20 PM



The committee adjourned.