The call for change resonated deeply with Denver’s city workers on Wednesday as they gathered on the steps of the Wellington Webb Municipal Office Building. Retired Teamster and lifelong labor organizer Ronnie Houston proclaimed, ‘Mr. Mayor, here comes the union,’ emphasizing the growing influence of organized labor in the face of proposed government layoffs.
A show of solidarity unfolded, with Teamster trucks parked outside as truck drivers honked their support for the rallying crowd of city employees. This display of strength from organized labor came on the heels of a November vote granting city workers the right to collective bargaining, which will officially commence on January 1, 2026. With rumors of mass layoffs looming as early as August and upcoming negotiations set for the new year, the urgency surrounding changes in the city’s career service rules has become more pronounced.
At a recent Career Service Board meeting, city employees expressed their alarm over proposed shifts in layoff guidelines, which are set to transition from a seniority-based system to a ‘merit-based’ approach. This change raised concerns among long-time city workers, who have long relied on seniority for job security. ‘I know that they say silence is golden, but silence isn’t golden,’ declared Audra Burgos, a member of Teamsters Local 17 and an employee in the Parks and Recreation department, highlighting the need for employee voices to be heard amidst these significant changes.
The meeting drew hundreds of participants, with city workers attending both in person and virtually. Many took time off work to voice their opposition, seeking to demonstrate their commitment to the cause. Employees characterized the proposed policy change as ‘rushed’ and a ‘betrayal,’ raising fears that the shift undermines long-established protections.
Critics pointed out that removing these protections could lead to favoritism and bias in layoffs, with performance metrics often being subjective and varying significantly across departments. Michael Wallin, president of AFSCME Local Union 158, warned that the new rules might facilitate the replacement of senior employees with cheaper, less experienced workers who may be more vulnerable to managerial pressure.
As city workers grapple with the looming threat of layoffs, they feel the weight of the city’s financial issues. Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration is confronting a budget deficit of $250 million, which requires immediate cuts. Former mayoral candidate Lisa Calderón voiced her anger at the situation, emphasizing that the challenges experienced by city workers during recent crises should not be met with retaliation but support.
Despite the administration’s assurances that the proposed merit-based system would still consider seniority, many employees remained skeptical about how skills and performance would actually translate into employment decisions. Concerns about the potential for subjective implementation of these new rules have left many feeling vulnerable.
City attorneys also raised red flags during the discussion, advising that implementing more subjective policies could expose the city to legal challenges. The potential costs associated with handling lawsuits from laid-off workers could contribute to taxpayers’ burdens, further complicating the budget crisis.
As the Career Service Board met, board members decided to postpone their vote on the proposed changes, allowing more time for revisions that would incorporate employee feedback. Meanwhile, fear and frustration among city workers only mounted as they recognized the gravity of the impending layoffs.
Facing budget cuts that could see as much as 20 percent slashed from various department budgets, employees felt the urgency to solidify their union presence. Many workers took the opportunity to sign digital union cards as they rallied for their rights, signaling a pivotal moment in the evolution of labor power within Denver’s city government.
With the horizon of collective bargaining on the edge, the decisions made now regarding layoff rules will undoubtedly shape negotiations in the coming year. Mayor Johnston’s aspiration for ‘world-class services’ may soon conflict with a workforce that is increasingly organized and ready to fight for their rights.
As the situation unfolds, the atmosphere in Denver’s city government becomes one of significant tension, with the potential for upcoming strikes looming larger. The question remains whether the administration will engage collaboratively with workers as they navigate these turbulent changes, or if confrontation will define this chapter of labor relations in Denver.
image source from：denverite
