Through decades of struggle, courageous labor leaders and ordinary working people won the right to organize, the 40-hour work week, the weekend, health and retirement benefits, and humane working conditions.

In a capitalist system geared to maximize profit, blue- and white-collar workers need labor unions to ensure they are paid wages and provided the benefits necessary for a humane life.

But in the November election, the ability of unions in Colorado to represent workers could be undercut by the passage of Amendment 47, the deceptively titled "Colorado Right to Work Amendment."

Backers of Amendment 47 are trying to confuse the public through misconstruing the amendment's purpose, which they claim is to prevent unions from forcing workers to join unions. Federal law already mandates workers cannot be forced to join unions, at the same time requiring unions to represent every worker in unionized workplaces.

The Colorado constitution requires workers in unionized workplaces who choose not to join the union to pay agency fees (which are less than union dues) for union services, which include collective bargaining, legal defense in case of illegal firing and pro-worker representation at the capitol.

Amendment 47 would get rid of this requirement and result in the loss of 45 percent to 50 percent of revenue for unions in Colorado.

Statistically, unionized workers have higher wages, better benefits and better working conditions. The Colorado constitution is fair in requiring that all workers who choose not to join unions in unionized workplaces pay for union services through agency fees.

All workers benefit from unions; everyone should pay their share.

The real purpose of Amendment 47 is to decimate the economic base of an already weak labor movement so that business owners and corporations, freed of union advocacy, can reap greater profits. Some union members have renamed the amendment "The Right to Work for Less."

Don't be fooled by this amendment initiated and financed by wealthy outside interests. Vote no on Amendment 47 and support unions' ability to represent working people.

Carolyn Bninski is on the staff of the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center.