DENVER (KDVR) — The sweltering heat did not stop one group of workers from marching for better working conditions on Monday as sanitation workers rallied in downtown Denver.
The group of janitors from across the Front Range is urging companies to make some changes as contract negotiations are underway. On Monday, the workers told companies and area leaders that the city is changing and they need their working conditions to reflect that.
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The Denver-area sanitation workers are members of SEIU Local 105, and they’re gearing up for another fight for fair wages.
“We have about 2,400 janitors across the city in the Denver metro area that are going to be entering into negotiations with multiple contractors this week,” said Stephanie Felix-Sowy, president of SEIU Local 105.
Union leaders said the pandemic changed the landscape of their industry.
“Another part of our priorities is figuring out what is the future of this workforce here. And that includes of course wages, benefits, but also addressing workload issues,” Felix-Sowy said. “During the pandemic, we saw folks’ schedules being largely affected. Hours being cut, being asked to come in and do much more work.”