Union Hurdles & Modern Mergers: The Battle for Worker Power in CO and IL

How can the labor movement overcome outdated laws and geographical silos to build true worker power? Today on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle the legislative and organizational strategies shaping the future of unions in the Midwest and the West.

Segment 1: Breaking the "Double Hurdle" in Colorado Dennis Dougherty, Executive Director of the Colorado AFL-CIO, joins us to discuss the high-stakes fight for the Worker Protection Act. He explains why Colorado is the only state in the nation that forces workers to clear a second, 75% "supermajority" vote after already winning their union election. Dougherty breaks down how this "Labor Peace Act" relic allows for employer intimidation and why ending it is the federation's top priority in 2026.

Segment 2: Organizing Across 11 Counties Luther Baker, President of the East Central Illinois AFL-CIO and a member of IBEW Local 601, shares the story of a major regional merger. What began as the Champaign County AFL-CIO has now expanded into a unified council covering 11 counties. Baker discusses:

• His path from fast food management to an IBEW apprenticeship.
• The role of IBEW RENEW in cultivating young leaders.
• Strategies for bridging the gap between building trades and public sector unions.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the "75% rule" in Colorado is a national outlier for labor rights.
• How central labor councils are modernizing through regional mergers and hybrid governance.
• The importance of cross-union solidarity in winning first contracts.

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