Scanlon for Colorado

Tag: Labor

  • An Open Letter To Yesterday’s DisEnchanted Voter

    WARNING: This blog posts contemplates the current state of America. In this analysis, I use some Teamsters language. Parental guidance is advised.
    Dear Voter,
    First, thanks for the time on the phone yesterday. I’m cold calling all over Commerce City these days and, well, I get a variety of reactions 🙂
    Second, no judgement here. Indeed, I’m pretty sure we have a ton in common, as I’ll get to.
    I speak to folks like you everyday. We regular folks are, ahem, frustrated at the current state of affairs. (My next blog post is titled Requiem to the US Constitution.)
    I hope you’re OK with me labeling you “disenchanted.” I think I could have used some Teamster language and you’d be nodding up and down at that too.
    I get it. It’s why I’m doing this damn campaign thing for the next year of my life.
    But there’s one thing I need to be clear on. You, you’re a smart fellow and I’m pretty sure you know this, but I have to point out that I’m not a revolutionary figure and I’m not going to forment any revolutionary change over here. I’m running for a major party nomination to be one of 65 legislators in one half of the bi-cameral Colorado legislature. That system was deliberately designed to keep would-be revolutionaries at bay, and then completely frustrate any who might somehow sneak in.
    So why am I running?
    First of all, our party got away from the working class people who not only made the damn Democratic Party, we built this whole fucking country damnit. And what we do we get? Seriously, on any given day, what do we get for it?
    Do we get a thanks? No. Do we get a raise? HA! Do our spouses cut us any slack? Do NOT answer that one, it’s a trick question!
    The point is, and you already know this, you feel this in your gut, we get shit on. We get shit on every day. And if I could change that, brother, believe me, I would.
    Of course, we all know I can’t.
    Here’s what I can do.
    I can campaign my ass off 6 days a week. I can tell any Eastablishment Figure who will listen that we working people are fed up and the fucking least you can do is provide food assistance.
    [Side Note: The Governor, God bless him, is asking everyone to give money and/or food to food banks as the federal government leaves the food assistance business. I am not. I am asking everyone to call Gabe Evans office:
    Washington DC Office
    1229 Longworth House Office Building
    Washington, DC 20515
    Phone: (202) 225-5625
    Greeley District Office
    3400 West 16th St, Building 1S
    Suite C
    Greeley, CO 80634
    Phone: (970) 324-2567
    Northglenn District Office
    10701 Melody Drive
    Suite 500
    Northglenn, CO 80234
    Phone: (303) 723-6560
    And ask them to restore the federal government. Food stamps, Medicaid, clean energy programs, put it all back. This is ridiculous.]
    You mentioned the great Wellington Webb. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him or Wilma. I told you I stole a page from his playbook. He famously walked Denver in his tennis shoes. I’m going to walk Commerce City in those steel toed shitkickers you see in my campaign logo.
    And if I’m honored to be elected as your Rep, I’ll wear those damn things every day. Not because they’re comfortable. Because they’ll be a constant reminder that I was born a mick on the wrong side of the tracks and I need to remember where I grew up and where I came from and who my people are.
    I wish it would somehow have a positive impact on your life, I wish I could somehow fix those outrageous health insurance premiums. Fuck, I wish I could get us a universal health care system. Argentina does it.* We just bailed them out. Why can’t we bail out Americans struggling with health care issues as well?
    So I get your frustration. You’re sure as hell not wrong.
    I don’t want to promise to be something I can’t. I can promise you this. I work from 3AM to 4PM six days a week. If I’m honored with the promotion of a lifetime, I’ll work hard every day to represent working people and working families. It’s all I’ve ever asked of my Rep’s, and frankly, I don’t think that’s asking a lot. You can certainly ask for more! You have my cell phone number, call or text me anytime. I need working people to keep it real for me!
    Keep being awesome.
    Sincerely,
    Michael Scanlon
    Candidate Colorado’s HD32
    9476 Sedailia St
    Commerce City, CO 80022

    * From Gemini: “The health care system in Argentina is complex and is composed of three main subsectors:
    “1 The Public Sector (State-run): This sector provides universal and free access to medical facilities, including emergency care, for all people in the country, regardless of nationality or ability to pay.”

  • Union For All!

    Every worker deserves a voice.
    Every workplace deserves democracy.
    Every American deserves dignity at work.

    The Union For All movement recognizes that economic security requires more than healthcare—it demands workplace democracy, fair wages, and the fundamental right to organize without fear.

    The Union For All movement represents a modern approach to worker empowerment that goes beyond traditional union organizing to encompass workplace democracy, economic security, and shared prosperity. By combining proven policy solutions with contemporary organizing strategies, it offers a pathway to rebuilding worker power for the 21st century economy.

    Legislative Proposals

    1. Worker Power

    Automatic Representation Rights

    • Establish sectoral bargaining by industry, similar to systems in Germany and Scandinavia
    • Create worker representation on corporate boards (30% minimum for companies over 1,000 employees)
    • Guarantee workers the right to form workplace councils with consultation rights on major business decisions
    • Eliminate “right-to-work” laws that weaken collective bargaining

    2. Digital Age Labor Standards

    Modernizing Worker Protections

    • Classify gig workers as employees with full labor rights
    • Establish portable benefits that travel with workers across jobs
    • Create algorithmic transparency requirements for app-based work platforms
    • Guarantee the right to organize for all workers, regardless of employment classification

    3. Workplace Democracy Expansion

    Democratizing the Economy

    • Provide federal funding and tax incentives for worker cooperatives
    • Create a National Cooperative Development Bank
    • Establish employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) incentives for business transitions
    • Fund community wealth-building initiatives in underinvested areas

    4. Fair Scheduling and Economic Security

    Stabilizing Work Life

    • Guarantee two weeks advance notice for work schedules
    • Provide compensation for last-minute schedule changes
    • Establish the right to request flexible work arrangements
    • Create universal basic income pilot programs in select regions

    5. Corporate Accountability and Worker Justice

    Enforcement with Teeth

    • Increase penalties for union-busting activities (personal liability for executives)
    • Create expedited processes for union certification elections
    • Establish worker safety whistleblower protections with private right of action
    • Mandate corporate disclosure of worker pay ratios and labor practices

  • Congrats Labor Champion Javier Mabrey

    Last night at the AFL/CIO annual awards dinner, Colorado Representative Javier Mabrey was crowned the Labor Champion of 2025.

    Representative Mabrey earned this award for his consistent and dependable stance in support of organized labor over and over at the state Capitol during this year’s legislative session.

    Representative Mabrey gave a moving speech, referencing his own difficult upbringing, which included tough times like the lights being cut off or being evicted.

    Personally, I couldn’t agree more with “Javi” as his friends call him. We, as workers, need to stand united. And we need to stand behind the elected officials who have our back. I strongly encourage all friends of working folks to give to Representative Mabrey’s campaign for re-election. Working people need to stand with their friends!

    And a shout out to my local, Teamsters Local 455, for hosting this great event. Special thanks to the AFL-CIO for making this great event happen.