Weld voters will get say in whether county employees have the right to unionize

By Kelly Ragan

In November, Weld County voters will have the chance to decide whether folks employed by the county should be prevented from being able to form a union. 

On Aug. 10, commissioners voted to pass a resolution to ask voters whether the county should amend its home rule charter to prevent its 1,823 full-time county employees from unionizing. The move comes in response to Senate Bill 22-230, bill passed in the Colorado legislature this year that grants employees of county governments the right to unionize. The bill excluded 24 counties in the state with a population of less than 7,500 people in the most recent census.

The resolution came just before a proposed 50% raise for commissioners, which the Weld County Council will vote on at their next meeting.

The proposed amendment reads like this:

“The Personnel Policies, rules, regulations, job classification and compensation plans shall govern the employment relationship between the County and County employees.  It is against public policy for the County to collectively bargain with County employees.  The Board of County Commissioners shall not enter into any collective bargaining agreement with County employees.  The County is under no obligation to recognize or negotiate with, for the purpose of collective bargaining, any collective bargaining unit of County employees, their exclusive representative(s), or any employee organization(s) chosen to represent them.”

How did we get here?

Some counties, including Denver, Broomfield, Pitkin and Weld, were exempt from the mandate set forth by Senate Bill 22-230, according to a report by Colorado Public Radio, because of their “unusual government structures,” though all counties can *choose* to grant the right to unionize to its employees.

That unusual government structure is, of course, the home rule charter.

A home rule charter is a structure of governing defined by the citizens of a municipality or county that essentially allows for more local control. In general, home rule ordinances addressing local matters supersedes state law, according to the state.

So, why are Weld County Commissioners moving to put a question on the ballot to address something the county was not required to participate in?

“We think voters need to address that issue specifically,” said Bruce Barker, attorney for the county. “That’s what this does.”

Since Weld County is exempt from the rule, and Weld’s charter charter does not specifically address unionization, there is some uncertainty around the issue, Barker said.

Unions have gained momentum in recent years, especially among private businesses.

Starbucks employees across the state, for example, have moved to unionize. Seven Starbucks locations across the state have made efforts to unionize, including a Starbucks in Greeley.

Greeley Starbucks employees emailed a letter to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz in August. According to a report by the Loveland Reporter-Herald, the letter read: “We believe that a true partnership — one that is equitable — stems from open communication and transparency. By supporting the unionization efforts of our store, Starbucks will allow us to become true partners to the company. Our voices deserve to be heard, and we deserve a say in what we require to be successful in our roles — as baristas, as shift supervisors, and as the front-line workers providing coffee, food, and human connections within our community.” 

According to a report by Colorado Public Radio, the surge in union interest goes beyond Starbucks, especially as the cost of living continues to rise.

Earlier this year, King Soopers union employees went on strike. The move resulted in a wage increase of more than $5 an hour for some employees. It also created more full-time employment opportunities and more stringent workplace safety measures, according to a report by the Colorado Sun.

Janitors at Denver International Airport voted to go on strike and walked off the job in November, according to a report by KUNC.

Furthermore, a 2021 Gallup poll showed approval of labor unions was at its highest point since 1965 at about 71%.

It is important to note, however, Weld County employees have not indicated an interest in unionizing.

The numbers

Weld’s Director of Finance and Administration, Don Warden, generated a fiscal analysis of the potential impact of county employees unionizing. 

The report projected workers covered by a union contract in Weld could result in added salary costs of around $16.4 million and added benefit costs of about $5.7 million for a total of about $22.1 million per year. 

The report estimated the average cost for an employer of Weld County’s size would be about $2,000 more per employee for a total of an additional $3.6 million.

The report also cited loss of productivity and output, cost of union dues, and intangible costs that could impact services to residents. 

The report drew from projections calculated by the University of California-Berkley.

Warden said Berkley has a well-respected labor institute and is a trustworthy third-party source.

Union workers in California, according to the report, earn an average of 12.9% more than non-union workers.

While California salaries are likely higher, Warden said the salaries used in the report were typical of the area and the proportions still rang true.

According to the Colorado AFL-CIO, an organization made up of union members, union members in Colorado earn on average 26.2% more than non-union workers with an even greater difference for women and people of color.

“A lot of people think government employees are already paid better than many in the community, have good benefit programs, pension programs, and vacation time,” Warden said.

Warden acknowledged that the projections in the report could be off, as it utilized the figures from Berkley. But he stood by them.

“Even if my numbers are only 50% right, that’s still a pretty expensive proposition,” he said.

Commissioners are asking for raises

At the next Weld County Council meeting, the council will vote on whether to increase salaries for several elected positions.

As it stands, the proposal would add up to $485,000 in raises for positions including all five WeldCounty Commissioners, the clerk and recorder and the sheriff.

The proposal would consider moving the salary from $105,000 per year to $160,000. That would make for a 52% increase for commissioners, according to a report by the Greeley Tribune.

Council will vote on the proposed salaries at its meeting 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Weld County Administration Building, 1150 O St. in Greeley 

Public comments may be made at the September meeting or before the meeting by emailing countycouncil@weldgov.com or calling the Weld County Council Secretary Linda Kane at (970) 400-4780.