CCH workers come to the table ready to bargain for the future of staff and clients
DENVER, CO – After a long-fought organizing campaign and landmark unionization vote in January, the staff of the Housing Supportive Services Department within the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH), members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105, have begun the process of bargaining a historic first contract with one of the largest organizations for the unhoused in Colorado.
Workers of the Housing Supportive Services (HSS) Department, who voted overwhelmingly to unionize earlier this year, say they’re eager to come to the bargaining table with the management of the nonprofit in order to find solutions to numerous issues raised throughout the organizing process, including safety concerns, unsustainable workloads, and high turnover among staff.
“We’re here because we care, about our coworkers, our clients, and our community,” said Amanda Lorenz, a Case Manager at CCH. “We voted to unionize because we know that better working conditions mean better services for the people we support every day. We’re excited to work collaboratively with management to find real solutions that make CCH stronger for everyone.”
The contract being bargained will cover all of the workers within the HSS division, who recently completed the process of nominating a team of representatives to bring their concerns forward throughout the bargaining process.
“It’s inspiring to see so many of our coworkers come together with ideas to make CCH better,” said Michael Montoya, a Residential Services Coordinator at CCH and member of the workers’ bargaining team. “Whether it’s reducing turnover so clients can stay with one case manager, addressing safety concerns, or creating a more supportive workplace, this process has the potential to revolutionize the services we provide. This is our opportunity to build a stronger future for our clients and our community.”
“The workers at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless are leading the way toward a stronger, healthier Denver,” said Denver City Councilwoman Shontel M. Lewis, a former employee of CCH. “By improving conditions for staff, they are creating the foundation for better, more consistent care for those who rely on CCH’s services. When workers have the support they need, our entire community benefits.”
The workers say they remain hopeful that the nonprofit’s management will also work to maintain a collaborative and constructive bargaining process, and that this historic first contract will be a joint effort to build a better environment at CCH for workers, clients, and the community who depend on the services provided there.
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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.
For press inquiries, email comms@seiu105.org
