In today’s news and commentary, Colorado legislators negotiate over union security thresholds, SEIU launches a campaign defending detained union members, and tens of thousands of University of California workers go on strike over unfair labor practices.

In Colorado, Senate Bill 5 continues to spark fierce debate as it aims to eliminate the state’s 80-year-old rule requiring that 75% of workers sign off before unions can negotiate union security agreements (agreements that allow unions to charge fees to all represented workers). Union advocates strongly support the bill, while business groups remain strongly opposed. Although Democrats likely have the votes to pass the measure, Governor Jared Polis has threatened to veto the bill if it reaches his desk in its current form, calling on both sides to reach a compromise. According to The Colorado Sun, Governor Polis stated that “the business community has proposed several changes,” describing those proposals as “a victory for labor, if they will simply take it.” Although lawmakers are still negotiating potential amendments, the bill’s future remains uncertain as the 2025 legislative session approaches its May 7 deadline.

Meanwhile, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has kicked off a six-figure digital ad campaign spotlighting the detention of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University Ph.D. student and SEIU Local 509 member. The campaign features ads and projections on buildings in major cities, drawing attention to what the union calls an “ongoing assault on the 1st Amendment.” SEIU also organized rallies this week demanding the release of Ozturk and Lewelyn Dixon, another SEIU member who ICE detained in February. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the detentions, arguing the government can revoke visas if visa holders engage in disruptive protest activities. Ozturk had previously written an op-ed supporting Palestine, but the specific protest actions leading to her detention remain unclear.

Finally, roughly 60,000 University of California employees launched a strike across UC campuses this week after UPTE-CWA 9119, a union representing UC Professional and Technical Employees, accused the UC administration of bad faith bargaining. Nearly 40,000 additional workers from AFSCME Local 3299 joined the action in solidarity. UPTE-CWA alleges that UC has failed to bargain in good faith over pay scales and contract issues for newly accredited union members and that UC “unilaterally changed” healthcare premiums and costs, rendering healthcare unaffordable for many UC employees. According to union leaders, these actions have worsened staffing shortages and negatively impacted patient care. UC administrators dispute the claims, stating they’ve offered proposals to increase wages, reduce healthcare costs, and expand other benefits. Although Tuesday’s strike was a one-day event, unresolved negotiations suggest that further labor actions may occur.