Your Voice Matters

Thanks to Denver's voice this past election cycle, we approved two ballot measures that are significant to those of us who work at Denver Health. 2Q, which implements a city-wide 0.34% sales tax increase, provides funds directly to our hospital. It is estimated to bring in an additional $65 million per year. We want to ensure this revenue will support our goal in providing quality, affordable healthcare to our community. Do you want to see this money funneled into additional administrative offices and executive bonuses

Or do you want to see us hire and retain qualified healthcare and support staff?

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As we continue fighting for each other and the future of Denver Health, YOUR voice is crucial to our strength.

This past year, our local chapter pushed for new legislation to protect workers in Denver. The result was the approved measure 2U, which earned collective bargaining rights for workers employed by the city. This huge step brings us closer to the standard already established in many cities across the U.S., where public employees are able to negotiate compensation, hours, working conditions, and more. 2U protects those who work at the city's libraries, courts, and water services, to name a few. Although 2U does not extend to Denver Health employees, it sets an optimistic precedent for the future of DHWU and gains us ground to continue fighting for our community's indispensable workers. Getting involved in our union means that you can make changes like these a reality.

Boulder County Workers Win The Right To Negotiate A Contract

In one of the largest union elections in recent Colorado history, the Boulder County Employees Union (BCEU) won their union election, which grants them the right to negotiate a contract with their employer. The election took place on January 16th. The margin of victory was two to one (442-221).

The win will positively impact the 1419 workers in the bargaining unit as well as their families. They will next sit down as equals with their employer and bargain for pay, benefits and other matters regarding day-to-day working conditions. This victory welcomes hundreds of union members into Communication Workers of America District 7, the largest group of workers to join D7 in 25 years!

To fully understand the impact of this election, and how it relates to us here at DPL, it’s helpful to review the pieces and process, which lead to worker power. The first is the union.

A union is a group of workers, who come together to have a greater voice at work.

Unions make gains for their members through collective bargaining, the legal term defining the process of winning a union election then meeting with management and negotiating on a set of topics relating to work.

The contract is agreed upon by both sides after negotiating. It is a legally-binding document, which spells out what working conditions will be for the duration of the contract. These conditions include, but are not limited to, pay, benefits, safety, disciplinary policy, hiring, raises, promotions as well as the right to have a voice in the way a business or organization is run.

It took courage by BCEU members to stand up for the people of Boulder County as well as their fellow workers. Kathryn Lehman, a Bilingual Program Coordinator for Community Services, put it this way.

“I love working alongside people, who are public service minded. I appreciate my benefits package and I strongly support the union! I have worked at union and non union workplaces in the past and I have seen the union difference personally. Having a union creates a better platform for advocating for ourselves and the people we serve.”

In addition to courage, it was also necessary for the union to build a strong, representative organizing committee. This is something we will be doing here at DPL this year in preparation for our own election in January 2026.