Colorado labor measures still on ballot

DENVER, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Business leaders said they could not strike a deal with organized labor over a ballot measure that would make Colorado a "right-to-work" state.

If the standoff is not ended by Thursday, the proposed Amendment 47 will be on the November ballot along with four union-supported proposals that are opposed by business.

The Denver Post said Wednesday that the ballot battle is being called "mutually assured destruction" by some Colorado business leaders and elected officials. Gov. Bill Ritter and other top political leaders issued a statement Tuesday calling for the union proposals and Amendment 47 to be taken off the ballot.

Amendment 47 is backed by big business, including the powerful Coors family, and would make payment of union dues voluntary rather than a condition of employment.

Labor countered with proposals that include requiring small businesses to provide health insurance and require employers to show just cause when firing a worker.

Negotiations between labor and the industry group Colorado Businesses for Sensible Solutions fell apart over the group's offer to pay the unions $3 million for a campaign against Amendment 47 in exchange for dropping the other four proposals.