LETTER TO OUR COLLEAGUES

June 28, 2021

Dear coworkers,

This past year we’ve faced extraordinary struggle, loss, and change. We’ve made sacrifices to support our loved ones and to serve our Denver community. Many of us have needed support and connection with our coworkers more than ever.

In late 2020, an effort to organize a library union grew from a spontaneous staff get-together to talk about the stress and vulnerability of working as frontline and support staff during the pandemic. 

That conversation grew to where we are today: officially announcing the presence of our union—Denver Public Library Workers United—with proud public support from over 10% of our workforce.

If you haven’t heard from us yet, it’s not because we don’t trust or need you. We tried to talk to who we knew, some branches were harder to make contact with than others, some people were harder to meet with than others, especially outside of work. Secrecy was a vital tool: it helped us pick our moment and define our story. Now is the time for everyone; we need your action and to strengthen our collective voice. We need you more than ever before and welcome you wholeheartedly. Will you join us in building a workplace community of care and solidarity?

As we move forward, our efforts will not be perfect. There is no one right way to do this work and we have much to learn. We are not experts on what it is like to work in your branch or department and do not know what navigating DPL is like in your shoes. 

Check out our website www.dplworkersunited.org, email hello@dplworkersunited.org or follow us on FB/Insta/Twitter to learn more about who we are, what work we are doing and how to join.

We are stronger together. We can make real change together. Will you join our team and help make the library the kind of place where values are truly implemented and staff are truly supported?

In solidarity,
Denver Public Library Workers United