Richard Skorman and Jeremy Kroto, president of the Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters Association, during the opening of Skorman's campaign headquarters
Mayoral candidate Richard Skorman, who has been endorsed by the city’s police officers and firefighters, maintains that his position on collective bargaining has been consistent.
Do you agree?
On Feb. 11, a day after his campaign issued a press release about the endorsement from the Colorado Springs Police Protective Association and the Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters Association, Skorman said he didn’t support collective bargaining.
But he gave himself a little wiggle room.
“As I told the police and firefighters when they asked, I do not support collective bargaining in the current economic climate,” Skorman said in an e-mail.
When asked for clarification Feb. 14, Skorman said in a one-on-one interview that he didn’t support collective bargaining.
“I don’t support collective bargaining,” he said. “If it came forward and it always does in good economies, if it did come forward, the only way I would support it is if there was nonbinding arbitration.”
During a candidate forum Feb. 24, when mayoral and City Council candidates were asked whether they supported collective bargaining with a “yes” or “no” answer, Skorman said “maybe.”
Today, Skorman tried to set the record straight.
“My position has been consistent,” he said in a telephone message.
“As I told the police and firefighters, Colorado Springs should not move toward collective bargaining at this time. In a better economic climate with the city’s long-term obligations under control, I might be open to some form of negotiation with public employees, joint negotiations,” he said.
“My ‘maybe’ response at the OWN forum referred to the possibility that this issue could be reviewed in the future, and I’ve been consistent all along on this, but not for the next several years. I don’t think collective bargaining with municipal workers makes sense, and I wouldn’t support it,” he said. “I hope that clears it for you.”
By the way … the police association contributed $10,000 and the firefighters association contributed $2,500 to Skorman’s campaign last month.
Personally I have a distaste for politicians who waffle, it makes them look weak and indecisive.
It appears that Daniel Chacon is endorsing Steve Bach….Shame on yo Daniel
A few months ago, Jeff Crank falsely accused me of being a “secret supporter” of Richard Skorman.
Today, you’re falsely accusing me of endorsing Steve Bach.
Give me a break. I’m just reporting the facts.
Daniel
Maybe if he had been asked the same question, in the same way, his answers would have been exactly the same. Seems like a non-issue to me, he doesn’t support collective bargaining unless there are some stipulations attached. And no, I haven’t made up my mind on who I’m choosing to vote for, yet.