Colorado: Ed Casso

Gov. Bill Ritter on Tuesday issued a late-in-the-day veto of legislation that would have favored grocery store workers in ongoing negotiations over their union contracts with Colorado's major supermarket chains.

In his veto message, Ritter criticized the timing of House Bill 1170.

Grocery store chains and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 7 are trying to hammer out a contract by May 30, although negotiations could be extended. The legislation would have taken effect July 1.

"The parties to these negotiations have been working hard for several months to try to reach an agreement," Ritter wrote. "I believe it is ill-advised and counterproductive to enact legislation that materially impacts the relative bargaining position of parties in the midst of ongoing negotiations.