Arapahoe County Human Services Workers Unionize with AFSCME Colorado

Arapahoe County Employees Make History by Unionizing with AFSCME Colorado

In a significant development for labor rights in Colorado, Arapahoe County Human Services employees have voted to unionize under AFSCME Colorado. This decision, which marks them as the largest group to do so under the recently enacted collective bargaining law for county workers, is a pivotal moment for the workforce. The law, effective from last year, aims to enhance workers' rights and conditions.

The historic vote, conducted on November 1, represents a major victory for the 520 Human Services employees involved. These workers now have the opportunity to engage directly with county authorities to discuss and negotiate critical aspects of their employment, such as workload management, equitable compensation, safety enhancements, and improvements in healthcare and job security.

Heather Morgan, a social case worker, expressed her excitement about this new chapter, stating, “I am proud of all the people I work with and the great work we do to serve our community. Today is a win not only for us as employees but for the people we serve. Now we can work in partnership with the county in receiving the same support we strive to provide to others, and I am ready for this next chapter of collaboration.”

Similarly, Jordan McGinnis, who has been a family engagement facilitator for seven years, emphasized the benefits of unionizing for both employees and their clients. McGinnis noted, “I love my work and the people I serve. That’s why coming together in a union is so important. This is the best way for us to address high caseloads and turnover to improve client care.”

This move follows other successful unionization efforts in Colorado, such as the Jefferson County Public Library workers and the Denver Art Museum workers, both of whom organized under the same law earlier this year. Additionally, Arapahoe County Fleet and Facilities workers successfully unionized in September.

The year has seen a surge in union organizing, with AFSCME Colorado welcoming 1,100 new members since January. This trend highlights a growing momentum among workers seeking to improve their working conditions through collective action.