Cultural Workers Keep Fighting in Colorado

This fall, cultural workers around the state have lead the way for organizing in the public sector. Workers at Jefferson County Public Library, Boulder Public Library District, and Denver Art Museum are all working towards a union contract and AFSCME Colorado has stood beside them. 

Earlier this fall in Jefferson County, library management told workers that they were unwilling to move after hearing just a single counter proposal on wages. Instead, leadership walked away from the table after a year and a half of negotiations and halted progress towards a contract. 

But library workers didn’t let that deter them. This fall, they organized a massive write in campaign and a series of pickets to hold management accountable for stalling these needed raises. Over 800 community members and supporters sent over 11,000 letters to library management in support of workers. Then, last week, workers picketed at all library locations to show their determination. This week, management agreed to meet for mediation, a step in the right direction. But workers aren’t letting up any time soon. 

Click here to send a letter if you haven’t already. 

Workers at the Denver Art Museum are fighting for a contract as well. After putting together their own letter campaign to library management, they’ve achieved some movement from management at the table on crucial issues like wages, safety, and the ability for front side staff to sit and rest during long shifts. As they get closer to an agreement, workers are ready to ramp up their own pressure should management continue to delay progress. 

Workers at Boulder Library continued organizing and continued their requests for restoration of collective bargaining rights and union recognition. At every board meeting since November, workers and supporters showed up to keep up the pressure. Now, workers are hopeful they receive an answer from management in the new year. 

It’s clear that through AFSCME Colorado, cultural workers in Colorado are finding how a voice on the job can improve their lives and the services they provide. Stay tuned for more updates on all of these workers progress in the coming weeks.