Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
After two years of negotiations, members of Denver Art Museum Workers United (DAMWU)—who organized through
AFSCME Colorado—have ratified their first contract, making them the first museum workers in state history to secure a collective bargaining agreement.
As the first museum workers in Colorado to organize a union, DAMWU workers endured pushback from management, but they were undeterred. Their unity and solidarity allowed them to secure a deal with just cause rights, increased sick time, stronger parental leave policies and more.
“Winning this contract feels like a huge celebration!,” said Rachel Brennan, a museum shop sales associate. “It took so much work to get to this point, and I’m so proud of us for fighting to have a voice in our workplace. I am beyond grateful to have such amazing coworkers who know their worth and show up for each other."
“This has been a long time coming, and I think we are all feeling relieved to have finally ratified our first contract,” said Chase, a gallery host. “We're in a much better position as workers at the DAM than we were before and feel confident that we can achieve even more with our second contract. We are the ones who keep the museum running, and we must never forget that.”