Colorado State Senator Bob Gardner: Teacher strike bill will be amended

State Senate Bill 264 originally sought to prohibit public school teachers and teacher organizations from striking.

But State Senator Bob Gardner (R), a sponsor of the bill, said it’s being amended, focusing the punishment on any teacher’s union behind a strike.

Gardner, a Republican Senator from Colorado Springs said the coming amendment would fine teacher unions behind a strike only if they violated a court order.

Those fines would go to the district to pay parents for childcare during the strike.

“I believe is what’s good for students is teachers stay in classrooms and lobby legislatures and primarily school board members for better pay and work conditions,” Gardner said.

Gardner said the idea came earlier this year watching other teachers around the country go on strike.

He also adds it’s currently illegal for public employees in Colorado to strike.

“A strike is not protected speech,” Gardner said.

Gardner clarified the bill would not affect the planned protest outside the Capitol later this week, which is expected to draw thousands of educators.