May 14, 2009 4:12 pm US/Mountain
Bill Would Give Unemployment To Locked-Out Workers
DENVER (CBS4) ―
As union representatives and grocery store chains try to negotiate new contracts, Gov. Bill Ritter must decide whether to sign a bill that could affect the balance of power in such talks.
The measure (House Bill 1170) passed by the Legislature would allow workers who are locked out by their employers to collect unemployment benefits. They're not automatically eligible for such benefits now because of a law passed in response to a clash between the United Food and Commercial Workers and grocery stores in 1996.
The bill would take effect July 1st if it becomes law. The union says it hopes to reach a deal before then.
Contracts for Front Range stores expired last weekend but workers agreed to extend them until May 30 and keep talking. Talks began this week on the Western Slope.
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