Denver city workers sound the alarm on seniority rule changes

DENVER, CO – Denver’s public service workers came out in huge numbers on Wednesday to speak out against the proposed rule changes that would have made it easier for the city to lay off front-line workers.

Hundreds of city employees filled the area outside the Wellington Webb Municipal Building before the Career Service Board’s hearing on this issue. Dozens of essential public workers who keep Denver running testified at the hearing.

Speakers in the hearing sent a resounding message: respect city workers and keep changes like these to the bargaining table.

The Board ultimately decided to postpone acting, citing concerns about the proposal’s ambiguity.

“This postponement is a direct result of our collective voice and the pressure we brought to bear,” said Michael Wallin, president of AFSCME Local 158 and a Denver city employee. “That said, this only added gas to our engine. I think we’ll be even louder next time.”

The Board requested that the Office of Human Resources clarify its plan, including adding “definitions” and other measures aimed at removing subjectivity from any future changes. City workers say it’s an indication that their collective action is having an impact.

“They want the changes to have clarity?,” said Kenny Lundberg, a solid waste operator with the city and a member of the Stronger Denver Coalition. “Well, I'll tell the city the only way that can truly happen is at the bargaining table, negotiating for a union contract.”

The Career Service Board is scheduled to meet again on July 1 to consider these proposals again. Workers say they’ll be closely monitoring the plans and reiterate that no such fundamental changes should be made outside of the collective bargaining process.

City workers are being supported by Stronger Denver, a coalition of labor unions including AFSCME Colorado, CWA, IATSE Local 7, SEIU Local 105, Teamsters Local 17, and Teamsters Local 455.