Paramedic Caucus
Denver Health Workers United (DHWU), CWA 7799 and the Denver Health Paramedic Division Caucus
(DHPDC) would like to welcome you all to the Paramedic Caucus web page. Our goals are to inform
Division staff and union members of union activities, increase membership, protect all Division
employees; keep front line employees informed of bills and committees in the Colorado legislature that
affect EMS, and provide opportunities to testify or participate; and to conduct surveys/polls that will be
shared with the hospital board, the Denver City Council, the Governor and Legislature; and other stake
holders, including the public.
What we believe:
Denver Health should be the best hospital to give and receive care!
We have no ulterior motives; we are employees fighting for: all the division’s employees’ legal rights, competitive pay with surrounding 911 municipalities, better working conditions, more health benefits, accruing more PTO, Hazard pay, better retirement options, better EMS mental health options, and a better work/life balance.
Paramedics and EMTs are woefully underpaid and often overworked.
Most frontline employees do not make a living wage, or must live with multiple roommates, in order to cover living expenses.
A Union gives employees a very powerful, unified voice that their employer cannot ignore. Very relatable examples of strong unions are that of our co-responders, DFD and DPD. They both have unions with extensive collective bargaining rights, which is why they are paid so much more (DFD and DHPD UHU’s must be calculated identically, they are not, to be discussed more in the future) and have so many more benefits. We would encourage you to speak to them about their bargaining ability, their unions and the benefits they provide. Ask them if they would be better off without their unions. Then ask yourself, why don’t we have a union with bargaining rights? Why don’t I want more pay, more benefits, and a collective of Paramedic Division employees who always have my best interests in mind?
Denver Health leadership is not legally mandated to bargain with the union (yet!), but there is nothing stopping them from doing so voluntarily. Since we do not have collective bargaining rights, Yet!...... anyone can join….Secretaries, VSTs, EMTs, Paramedics, Lieutenants, and Mechanics.
Included in any future bargaining rights, we want every member to be entitled to having a union representative present during any type of disciplinary hearing or decision that can negatively affect an employee.
A union should not protect those employees who exercise poor decision making, either personally or medically. We should represent, enhance and protect the rights of those who take pride in their work, treat others with dignity and respect; and make sound, evidence based medical decisions.
Lack of transparency leads to inequitable wages. Denver Health Paramedic Division is long overdue for a wage system that:
Is fair, transparent, and accountable.
Acknowledges and incentivizes longevity.
Is competitive with surrounding local agencies.
DHWU Paramedic Longevity Wage Scale
In the Summer of 2021, 21 patched employees left the Denver Paramedic Division. A total of 131 lost years of paramedic experience. For many people, pay is a primary concern when deciding to stay with Denver Health. Below is a proposed annual path modeled on the DFD firefighter technician pay scale focused on longevity pay. An equitable pay scale like this is attainable through use of collective power. Join your union and your co-workers today and make a difference for the Denver Paramedics.
Frequently Asked Questions
+ Is DHWU just for nurses?
No, Denver Health Workers United (DHWU) is for all employees. Denver Health Paramedics make up roughly 10% of the union as it stands (the Paramedics make up less than 5% of all hospital workers as a whole). As a part of this wall-to-wall union, we can fight for our needs with the support of all Denver Health workers; we can be a strong voice for those who support our operations.
+ How does the Paramedic Caucus fit into Denver Health Workers United?
As DHWU goes, several groups of workers are holding independent meetings to discuss their issues. Organizing Committee members of each caucus report back to DHWU as whole. This allows us to coordinate efforts amongst teams and use our power to affect change in line with our collective goals.
+ What do we want?
DHWU has a platform of five demands where are all applicable to paramedics:
- More education/training, adequate staffing, and proper PPE at all times.
- Equitable pay with other metro area 911 responders.
- Hazard pay.
- No retaliation or money spent on anti-union practices.
More generally, we believe Denver Health Paramedics can be a leader in the EMS profession. DG medics are the most dedicated paramedics in the country, but we can be objectively and empirically the best. We will fight the loss of experience and hold the standard high. This will be done through collective education, lobbying to expand scope of practice and protocols, and promoting EMS as a long-term career path with pay parity and strict professional responsibility.
+ Will I be retaliated against?
It is illegal for Denver Health leadership to retaliate against any employee for joining or participating in the union. The Protections for Public Workers Act (PROPWA) affirms workers' rights to freely participate in union activity without interference, restraint, or coercion from their employer. The law further prohibits employers from restricting reasonable access to information about union representation.
There’s strength in numbers and protection in excellence on the job. Be the best paramedic you can be and join to show that DHWU is about positive, collective change.
+ I don’t want to fight with management. Should I still join?
We will continue to harness our community and political support to work with management in a positive manner to make Denver Health Paramedics the best EMS agency in the country.
This union and our collective voice isn’t about “getting things” from management; it’s bigger than management. We aim to harness our public and community support to secure resources, funding, and opportunity to bring progressively increasing quality EMS care to our patients.
+ How will DHWU affect change without collective bargaining?
Collective bargaining is just a tool in the union tool box. DHWU has already affected positive change with a minority of DH workers. Whistleblower protections and paid sick leave bills have passed through the state legislation due to the efforts of DHWU. The Paramedic Caucus has made public calls for hazard pay. DHWU members are building union-based education. Austin Travis County EMS Association in Texas -- another CWA affiliated union like DHWU -- has made tremendous strides in pay and worker protections without formal collective bargaining. We need you to help expand our vision and our voice.
+ Where do the dues go?
Organizing costs money. Money is spent on the website, flyers, lobbying and organizing support, media consulting, and much more. DHWU is a registered non-profit and future officers of the union will be prohibited from benefiting from the proceeds.
+ What’s the deal with the information sessions?
Information sessions have been offered as an open forum to prospective union members. There will be more in the future as gauged by interest. Don’t hesitate to email us with your specific questions.
+ How do I get more involved?
If you haven't, you can join here.
Email us at dhwuparamedics@gmail.com! There are positions in organizing, anti-racism, education, planning, and media relations.
For more FAQ’s please check out the DHWU Website.
Have additional questions? Visit the DHWU general FAQs page.
Links
DHWU Paramedics Call for Hazard Pay
Our union makes a stand for hazard pay for paramedics.
Austin EMS Association
See what the future could hold by checking out fellow union members in Texas.
DHWU Helps Pass Whistleblower Bill
Protecting the right to wear personal PPE at work and to report health and safety concerns without retaliation.
Updates:
6/3/2026
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) recently ruled that Paramedic Frank
Warren’s PROPWA (Protections for Public Workers Act, SB 23-111) rights were violated by Denver
Health, when he was placed on an unwanted and unsubstantiated sabbatical of indefinite time frame,
with mandatory two week check-ins. Then, several weeks later his FTO was removed without
provocation, with a lack evidence against him or appropriate due process, after having voiced safety
concerns of 31 FTO’s. These concerns pertained to FTO and trainee safety, and issues that could
compromise the safety of the public, and our patients.
This was a collective, concerted act of employees and union members, an act which is strongly protected
by law. Paramedic Warren was acting in good faith, as a dedicated employee and Union Caucus
President; when he was suddenly called in out of the blue, by himself, just before a downtown night
shift. He was asked to discuss these safety concerns, with two members of upper command; without
the 30 other FTO’s being present, their notes, his notes, or ability to prepare ahead of time for such a
meeting.
CDLE stated there was a retaliation component in Denver Health’s illegal actions!
This is a great win, but the battle is not over! We will continue to fight and stand by any and all paramedics raising concerns about safety and workplace conditions.
We will keep you, the public and shareholders informed on future developments.
DID YOU KNOW? Denver Health has a zero tolerance policy for retaliation.
12/17/2020
Two DHWU members spoke at the Denver Health and Hospital Authority (DHHA) Board Meeting. Members spoke about the growing issue of PTO and COVID-19 leave, union busting, pay inequities, and the need for a voice at work. Executive leadership has stated they are working on returning PTO to be compliant with the Healthy Families and Workplace Act. If you have had your PTO time taken away for leave related to COVID-19 please fill out this survey, or email us and let us know!
12/16/2020
UCHealth workers announces their union, UCHealth Workers United. Inspired by Denver Health Workers United-UCHealth workers are unionizing to address many similar issues. They are focusing on staffing, wages, and fighting for a seat at the table. Read more HERE.
11/23/2020
DHWU members testified at City Council in favor of passing the contract between the City of Denver and Denver Health. In this moment it is essential that Denver Health receives much needed funding so we continue to do our jobs and take care of our community. Members took time to speak about wages, workplace safety, retaliation, COVID protocols, PPE, union busting, and the power to advocate for ourselves and for the public.
6/25/2020
DHWU members spoke directly to the Denver Health and Hospital Authority Board of Directors about the need for hazard pay, training, comprehensive pandemic paid leave, fair compensation, and health and safety protections for workers and patients.