Colorado: Longmont, Vote No on Collective Bargaining
According to the TimesCall.com:
Longmont finds itself at a monumental crossroads. In this election, we are at a great crossroads of whether or not we are going to invite an outside arbitrator in and turn over the compensation and control of our police and fire departments to a union.
Here are some things that must be remembered.
Skilled union organizers from out of town have maneuvered this issue before the public. Also, they have control of our city council members elected because of large contributions to their recent election. Almost all the lights on the railroad are green, and only the Nov. 4 vote can avoid getting this mechanism in legal cement in our city’s charter. Is that what we want to do?
Every citizen has a high regard for members of the fire department and police department. We have to decide whether they should be far ahead in legal preference of those 800 employees who are in other departments and would not be the favored few. We have had two highly regarded people serving as chiefs of the two departments. Mike Butler, our police chief, has a national reputation and is one of the best in any community anywhere. Unfortunately, Fire Chief Trunck has retired.
Four years ago this issue was soundly defeated in an election over acceptance of much the same policy. Union leaders such as Steve Schulz and Mike Violette stand to make much money if the people accept the proposal. There is certainly money to be made from dues and fines for hundreds involved and would provide for a luxurious life. Membership in the unions primarily would be under the control of non-commissioned officers. However, the union is gracious enough to offer that the new public safety chief would be at the “negotiating table” as these issues come before an outside citizen arbitrator. This is a blueprint to create an immense amount of management time on behalf of the mayor, city manager and the chief...click to continue.
