After a long-fought organizing campaign, CCH workers become the second unionized workforce of their kind in Colorado.
DENVER, CO – After a long-fought organizing campaign, the staff of the Housing Supportive Services Department within the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) have officially voted to form a union through Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105, becoming the second-ever unionized workforce in the unhoused support sector in Colorado.
Workers of the Housing Supportive Services Department, who provide critical assistance to the unhoused community in Denver, have reported many issues at the facilities, including increased workloads, high turnover, and inadequate resources required to serve the community effectively. 87% of the department workers voted YES to form a union in an effort to find collaborative solutions to these issues and better serve their clients.
“I’m so excited for the future at CCH”, said Sarah Pfister, a peer specialist at CCH. “As someone who’s faced homelessness myself, I know firsthand the kind of services this community needs. We formed this union because together, we can advocate for the resources and working conditions we need to provide those services effectively. This is a real turning point for staff, our clients, and our community.”
The Housing Supportive Services Department is one of many departments within the organization, and workers say that they are already in talks with staff in other departments and facilities across Colorado to grow their union.
“We’re just getting started,” said Dan Calderon, a case manager at CCH. “We’ve seen firsthand the power we have when we unite and raise our voices together, and we’ve already heard from so many workers in other departments that want to be a part of the better future we’re fighting for at CCH. Together, we’re going to keep fighting and working together so that a job at CCH is a sustainable job that reflects the critical work we do for this community.”
Now that the staff have secured a union, they say they hope that the nonprofit’s management will not only come to the table to bargain a fair contract that addresses their issues but will also work collaboratively to recognize the union should other employees decide to join.
“These workers are essential to our community”, said Stephanie Felix-Sowy, President of SEIU Local 105. “They’re on the ground every day providing critical support to individuals who are at their most vulnerable, and they know what’s needed to do that important work. We welcome them into our union, and we urge the management at CCH to do the right thing, come to the table, and not resort to anti-union tactics in the future. This is an opportunity for a real change in our community, and we’re proud and excited to work together to make it happen.”
The next step in the process will be a second election required by the Colorado Labor Peace Act. This election will determine whether the workers will be able to bargain for union security at CCH, a process that is currently being called into question in the Colorado Legislature.
The workers say they remain hopeful that CCH management will remain neutral in this election and maintain a cordial relationship throughout the bargaining process, which could begin within the next month.
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The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105 is the largest healthcare union in Colorado, uniting more than 8,000 healthcare, property service, and airport workers in the state. Our union is part of the fastest-growing union in North America, whose 2 million members make up the largest healthcare union, the largest property services union, and the second-largest public services union.
