Resources

New Colorado Law Gives County Workers the Right to Unionize

County Workers have the right to be active in organizing a union in our workplaces as well as the ability to collectively bargain with our county management. Here are the rights protected by SB22-230 (Collective Bargaining for County Workers).

Right to organize (talk to our coworkers about unionizing at work on our own time)
Right to raise concerns about shared working conditions without retaliation
Right to elect our own collective representative (i.e. union) through a secret ballot
Right to collectively bargain with our employer to improve our jobs
Right to use work email to communicate regarding our union
Right to information from our county about budgets, working conditions and wages
Right to representation and to negotiate for justice on the job

Learn more about collective bargaining.

About the collective bargaining bill

The bill is fully in effect as of July 1, 2023. A coalition of labor unions worked in 2021 and 2022 to pass a strong collective bargaining bill for all public workers. A bill passed which was ultimately more narrow in scope. SB22-230 granted collective bargaining rights for county workers but unfortunately banned county workers’ right to strike. County workers now have rights to engage in workplace organizing, many other forms of mobilization, and political action.

SB22-230 establishes the following:

In 2009 Policy, Boulder County Pledges to Remain Neutral in Union Elections

In 2009, Boulder County Commissioners unanimously approved a union neutrality policy. You can read the policy here. The policy allows Boulder County workers to unionize free from employer opposition or retaliation. Under the policy workers can choose to unionize and will not face any discouragement or negative pressure from leadership. Upon request from our committee in summer of 2022, County Administrator Jana Peterson educated supervisors and managers on how to stay neutral during any union organizing efforts

Want to help organize your department or unit?

Fill out our BCEU union authorization form and encourage your co-workers to do the same!
Spread the word by sharing our website
Get in touch with a member of the Organizing Committee or email [email protected]
Print fliers to distribute in your area
Join our organizing committee