Rights on the job equals opportunity for government employees to have a say 

"THIS IS THE TIME that we have to try to make a difference," says Kathy Zamperini. "We have a lot of people who complain. We hear each other but nobody who can do anything about our problems is hearing us. This is the time that we have to make our move."

The move Zamperini wants her colleagues in state government to make is unionization with Colorado WINS (Colorado Workers for Innovation and New Solutions), a union coalition formed by the AFT, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union following expansion of public employees' workplace rights by Gov. Bill Ritter last fall.

The executive order came about as a result of an organizing and political effort conducted by the three unions.

Zamperini, a labor and employment specialist for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, says coalition representation will go a long way in addressing worker concerns, whether its pay, working conditions or processes and procedures.

"Being treated fairly would cover a lot of ground," says Zamperini. To her, fair treatment means that managers and legislators will not only listen when employees talk about work-related problems and processes but seriously consider the solutions offered from the frontline. "We have solutions to problems that they may not see because they are not out in front dealing with customers," she says.

"We have some power now," says Zamperini. "We can effect change through Colorado WINS."