Workers at the Denver Public Library took a big step toward forming a union, potentially making them the first city employees to take advantage of new labor organizing rights.
An organizing group, Denver Public Library Workers United, filed a formal request on Jan. 2 to become a city-recognized union. The group hopes to collectively bargain on behalf of library workers.
The action came just a day after a new law took effect, allowing thousands of city employees to join unions and engage in collective bargaining.
“Now more than ever we need to, as workers, whether you’re a public-sector worker, private-sector worker, now is the time to unionize,” said Juan Manuel Ramirez Anzures, administrative assistant for the children’s library. “Now is the time for solidarity and all power to the workers.”
Denver’s library workers have been organizing since 2020
They say they are seeking formal recognition now because of the change in the law, as well as recent city layoffs and budget cuts. In 2024, Denver voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure to grant the new labor rights, which took effect Jan. 1…