When did “business leaders” begin carrying the mail for unions? Who, in our business community, decided to get in bed with organized labor and campaign together to defeat Amendments 47, 49 and 54? And why?

Amendments 47, 49, and 54 are good for everyone. They will give workers both rights and choice. Amendment 47 will allow employees to choose for themselves whether they want to be dues-paying members of a union; Amendment 49 will protect public employees’ paychecks; and Amendment 54 will prohibit lobbying by those receiving no-bid government contracts. They are all clean government initiatives that are unique in that they favor both business and labor, while shielding workers from union intimidation. And they are good for economic development, making our communities more attractive for employment and investment.

The Gazette published a column from two Denver businessmen asking readers to oppose Amendments 47, 49 and 54. They just raised $3 million to give to the unions to defeat these three good-government, common-sense, economically sound initiatives. Why?

Because they were blackmailed by the same union thugs with whom they are now in collusion.

Rather than working collaboratively to provide more and better jobs for their members, big labor put four radical, job-killing, economy-destroying “poison pill” amendments on the ballot, refusing to remove them until “business leaders” gave them $3 million to fight 47, 49 and 54. It was an old-fashioned shakedown.

Extortion is just that – extortion. Some of us in business opposed paying this ransom on the basis of principle, while others opposed paying this ransom because it is guaranteed – absolutely guaranteed – to generate the opportunity to do it again. And who’s to say that those four poison-pill amendments would have passed anyway? Regardless, Amendments 47, 49 and 54 are good for Colorado and deserve to be supported.

Gov. Bill Ritter had the opportunity to prevent all of this unnecessary and expensive bloodshed. All he had to do was rescind his executive order that gave state employees the right to collectively bargain.

And all these “business leaders” had to do was convince him that blackmail is not the way we conduct business or politics in Colorado. But despite his seductive campaign rhetoric about being pro business, he confirmed, yet again, that he is bought and paid for by the unions.

Regrettably, these same Denver “business leaders,” while well intentioned, have sold out to these same unions.

Amendment 49 is endorsed by virtually every major newspaper in Colorado, representing varied, and in some instances polarized, ideologies. Could you even imagine The Gazette agreeing with the Boulder Daily Camera, or The Denver Post agreeing with the Rocky Mountain News? How about being endorsed by the Denver and Colorado Springs Chambers of Commerce as well as the Colorado Farm Bureau?

When support for Amendment 49 is so broad and deep, one must wonder why the unions are so vehemently opposed. Are they afraid that workers will not choose to become members without a protected right to coerce them? If membership is so attractive, what are they worrying about? And what is wrong with having public sector employees keep control of their paychecks?

If you believe in individual choice and employee empowerment, support Amendments 47, 49 and 54. Those television ads you see that claim that firefighters, teachers, and other hard working individuals will not be able to do their jobs if these amendments pass are blatantly inaccurate, dishonest and meant to appeal to your worst fears. In fact, the featured firefighter belongs to his union by choice. How deceitful of him to deny that same right to others.

Amendments 47, 49, and 54 will give these very individuals more control, more choice, more power, and more rights. What more could you, or they, want?

–

Schuck, of Colorado Springs, is a business leader and developer.

Denver Broncos cornerback Karl Paymah (41) practices on the field prior to the start of the final pre-season game of the 2007 season against the Arizona Cardinals Thursday, August 30, 2007 at Invesco Field. Photo by PHOTO BY: TODD SPOTH