Arapahoe County facilities workers latest to unionize under 2022 state law

Workers with Arapahoe County’s Facilities and Fleet Management department voted to unionize Friday, acting on a new Colorado law that allows county workers to organize. 

Workers voted 30-15 in favor of forming a union with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Colorado local. An additional five “yes” votes were contested because workers filled out both sides of a dual-sided ballot, one in English and the other in Spanish. 

The department includes workers who maintain county facilities, including maintenance staff and fleet technicians. 

“This vote for our union is a commitment to our future,” custodian Tommy Lujan said in a statement. “It means we now have a seat at the table to address our concerns and negotiate for better wages and working conditions and improve the services we provide.”

The Colorado Legislature passed a law in 2022 giving government employees in larger counties the right to unionize and collectively bargain over pay, benefits and working conditions. The law withheld the right for these unions to strike or to slow or stop work. 

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office also unionized, with the Fraternal Order of the Police, after the new law permitted workers to do so. Jefferson County Public Library workers voted to unionize with AFSCME in March under the law. 

Elizabet Garcia, spokesperson for AFSCME, said the next steps for the facilities and fleet workers will be to elect union leadership and then start the negotiations process with Arapahoe County officials “to establish a contract that addresses their needs and concerns.” 

“This is an exciting first step for us, and I hope it inspires other county workers to consider coming together for a seat at the table,” custodian Ryan Davis said in a statement. “The services all county employees provide are important. And our work should be recognized and valued.”