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DENVER, CO — The Worker Protection Act passed the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today by a vote of 8-5. HB26-1005 is sponsored by Representative Javier Mabrey and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon.
“Affordability is two-sided, it’s about making sure families can pay rent, buy groceries, and pay their bills, but it’s also about purchasing power and how much workers are paid,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “The research is clear: unionized workers earn more than their non-union workers in the same industry. Since the New Deal, unions have grown our economy, increased wages and created jobs. Strengthening the right to form a union will help build an economy where working people have a fair shot to thrive. This bill equips working people with the right to negotiate for better wages and a brighter future for themselves and their families.”
“Unions uplift working people, boost wages, grow our middle class, strengthen our economy and help families build wealth,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Colorado Democrats are standing up for workers to strengthen their right to collective bargaining. The second election sets up an intentional hurdle for workers to form a union in Colorado. The Worker Protection Act would secure our workers’ right to form and sustain a union that helps them negotiate for better working conditions, pay and benefits.”
The Worker Protection Act (HB26-1005) updates the Colorado Labor Peace Act to make it easier for workers to negotiate a union security clause in the collective bargaining process.
Currently, Colorado labor law requires two elections for workers seeking to form a union and collect dues: one that meets the federal standard set by the National Labor Relations Act and a second election which must be won by a supermajority approval of at least 75 percent of those who vote, or 50 percent plus one of all employees eligible to vote, whichever is greater. This process creates a uniquely high threshold for workers to achieve the right to negotiate with their employers.
Union member density in Colorado is below the national average of 9.9 percent. Based on 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Colorado’s union membership was 7.7 percent, far behind other states with free bargaining laws, including Minnesota (14.2 percent), Washington (16 percent), and California (14.5 percent).
Unions strengthen economies while driving more income to working families. On average, union workers earn 10.2 percent more than non-union workers with similar jobs and qualifications. Unions also play a role in increasing wages for workers. For example, wages in states with anti-worker laws, also known as “right to work” laws, are 3.2 percent lower than in states without these laws. That translates to an average of $1,670 less per year for a full-time worker.
Unions also reduce income inequality, bridge racial and gender pay gaps, and help families build wealth. Research shows that union membership is tied to larger wage gains for all workers, but union workers of color tend to experience a larger percentage of wealth gains. For example, Black working-class union families hold 4.3 times more wealth, and non-white Hispanic families hold 5.4 times more wealth compared to the median wealth for their demographics. Additionally, unions help increase homeownership. For example, working class union households are 13 percent more likely to own a home.