A strange thing happened in Colorado this year: Business and labor interests came together in opposition to a right-to-work ballot initiative, Amendment 47. Right-to-work, of course, exists in 22 states and effectively ends unions' ability to organize by making it difficult for them to collect dues. Corporations go crazy for right-to-work. But Colorado business leaders, including Coors Brewing patriarch Bill Coors, believe the state's existing Labor-Peace Act is enough. That law -- the only one of its kind in the nation -- requires two separate votes by workers to form a union. If you're interested in the back-story behind the unique labor politics in Colorado this season, check out my piece on the topic from a few weeks ago.
Here we have the back-and-forth TV ads on the initiative. The right-to-work group goes for a nice working dad and stay-at-home mom who tell their children that unions are scary. The anti-47 crowd vilifies corporate bigwigs, which is notable considering some of them are in the coalition opposing the initiative.
Previous ballot initiative ad features:
- Colorado's "personhood" amendment
- California's anti-gay marriage amendment
--Dana Goldstein
