Paramedic Caucus

+ Is DHWU just for nurses?

No, Denver Health Workers United (DHWU) is for all employees. Denver Health Paramedics make up roughly 10% of the union as it stands (the Paramedics make up less than 5% of all hospital workers as a whole). As a part of this wall-to-wall union, we can fight for our needs with the support of all Denver Health workers; we can be a strong voice for those who support our operations.

+ How does the Paramedic Caucus fit into Denver Health Workers United?

As DHWU goes, several groups of workers are holding independent meetings to discuss their issues. Organizing Committee members of each caucus report back to DHWU as whole. This allows us to coordinate efforts amongst teams and use our power to affect change in line with our collective goals.

+ What do we want?

DHWU has a platform of five demands where are all applicable to paramedics:

• More education/training, adequate staffing, and proper PPE at all times.
• Comprehensive pandemic sick leave -- so you don’t have to use up all your PTO because of COVID-19 (like many paramedics have)!
• Continuing to maintain hours for all paramedics.
• Hazard pay.
• No retaliation or money spent on anti-union practices.

More generally, we believe Denver Health Paramedics can be a leader in the EMS profession. DG medics are the most dedicated paramedics in the country, but we can be objectively and empirically the best. We will fight the loss of experience and hold the standard high. This will be done through collective education, lobbying to expand scope of practice and protocols, and promoting EMS as a long-term career path with pay parity and strict professional responsibility.

+ Will I be retaliated against?

Chief Bryskiewicz and command have committed to non-retaliation and will actively address any retaliation concerns -- through DHWU, if needed.

Furthermore, no Denver Health workers have been retaliated against for joining the union. No public supporters have been punished for finding their voice. No DHWU Paramedic has been treated disfavorably. There’s strength in numbers and protection in excellence on the job. Be the best paramedic you can be and join to show that DHWU is about positive, collective change.

+ I don’t want to fight with management. Should I still join?

We will continue to harness our community and political support to work with management in a positive manner to make Denver Health Paramedics the best EMS agency in the country.

This union and our collective voice isn’t about “getting things” from management; it’s bigger than management. We aim to harness our public and community support to secure resources, funding, and opportunity to bring progressively increasing quality EMS care to our patients.

+ How will DHWU affect change without collective bargaining?

Collective bargaining is just a tool in the union tool box. DHWU has already affected positive change with a minority of DH workers. Whistleblower protections and paid sick leave bills have passed through the state legislation due to the efforts of DHWU. The Paramedic Caucus has made public calls for hazard pay. DHWU members are building union-based education. Austin Travis County EMS Association in Texas -- another CWA affiliated union like DHWU -- has made tremendous strides in pay and worker protections without formal collective bargaining. We need you to help expand our vision and our voice.

+ Where do the dues go?

Organizing costs money. Money is spent on the website, flyers, lobbying and organizing support, media consulting, and much more. DHWU is a registered non-profit and future officers of the union will be prohibited from benefiting from the proceeds.

+ What’s the deal with the information sessions and commitment day?

Information sessions have been offered as an open forum to prospective union members. Commitment days are a way to show solidarity amongst workers; we join together or go public together. There will be more in the future as gauged by interest. Don’t hesitate to email us with your specific questions.

+ How do I get more involved?

If you haven't, you can join here.

Email us at dhwuparamedics@gmail.com! There are positions in organizing, anti-racism, education, planning, and media relations.

For more FAQ’s please check out the DHWU Website.