City union vote set for June 10

Fort Collins residents have until May 12 to register to vote in a special election determining whether to strengthen city employees' ability to bargain for better wages and working conditions.

The June 10 initiative calls for amending the city charter to allow all hourly police and city workers to join unions. Voters in 2004 gave police the power to bargain collectively. This measure would extend that right to all employees

The proposal would authorize the unions to demand binding arbitration should negotiations with the city break down. A similar initiative extending binding arbitration to police was rejected in a 2006 special election by a 2-1 margin.

Under binding arbitration, the city and the union would split the cost of a hiring an independent arbitrator, who would review the facts and issue a ruling that would be binding on both sides.

The election will be conducted strictly by mail. Deputy City Clerk Rita Harris said ballots will be mailed about May 23 and must be in possession of the clerk's office no later than 7 p.m. on June 10. A ballot box also will be available at the Fort Collins City Hall, 300 W. LaPorte Ave.