American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO
Palm Beach Area Local 749
1957 10th Avenue N
Lake Worth, FL 33461
561-588-8572
561-588-4504 (fax)
In Colorado, not much progress has been made as of yet. Governor John Hickenlooper (D) acknowledged that the workers are underpaid, but he has not put up a school spending proposal that meets the protestors’ demands. Also, since Colorado legislators do not have the power to raise taxes, the educators are working to support a ballot initiative to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations (a similar ballot initiative is being proposed in Arizona).
In both states, workers have refused to back down – even as threats loom of recently introduced anti-worker legislation aimed at punishing the teachers. The proposed laws include penalties like decertification, fines, and, in some cases, jail time for striking. While educators are on strike in Arizona, in Colorado, teachers have officially been taking vacation and sick leave to remain out of the classrooms and protesting. State Senator Bob Gardner (R-Colorado Springs) introduced legislation that would make it illegal for the teachers to strike. If the bill had passed, each striker would have faced a fine or up to six months in jail. However, after strong blowback from teachers and other state legislators (including some in his own party) Sen. Gardner announced on Tuesday, May 1 that he was pulling the bill.
As of Tuesday, May 1, educators are still out protesting in the streets. In Arizona, the state legislature is hearing legislation that would fund a 10 percent raise for teachers and an additional $200 million toward restoring the $400 million cut from schools.
The APWU National officers encourage all members in Arizona and Colorado and in locals around the country to support the workers however they can. If any APWU member participates in a solidarity action, please email pictures to communications@apwu.org [1].
