Under Colorado state law, local school boards have full control over whether or not they recognize the right of the teacher/staff union to bargain a contract. Twelve years ago, DCF was a strong local union with a binding contract until DCSD became a target for union busting and a newly elected reformer school board refused to bargain. For the last twelve years, the teachers and staff of Douglas County have been working without a contract and it shows. Salaries have slipped and our students continue to lose talented professionals to surrounding districts with high pay and contract protections.
Recent DCF Wins
In 2023, DCF worked alongside community groups to elect three union friendly candidates to the school board and passed an important MLO ballot measure to get DCSD employees a raise. DCF has built new momentum toward collective bargaining and has a chance to elect union/ public school friendly candidates in 2025.
Now is the time to join DCF and help grow our ranks. We need to demonstrate to potential 2025 school board candidates that we have strong membership and they can't work to better DCSD without us.
What are the benefits of collective bargaining?
Collective bargaining is the process in which teachers and staff, through their union, negotiate contracts with their administration to determine their terms of employment including pay, benefits, scheduling, leave, job health and safety policies, ways to balance work and family, and more. Collective bargaining is a way to solve workplace problems. It is also the best means for raising salaries/wages. Indeed, through collective bargaining, working people in unions have higher wages, better benefits and safer workplaces.
Every year, thousands of Colorado educators negotiate or renegotiate their bargained contracts. However, some school boards seek to undercut existing bargaining relationships and roll back many hard-won contract terms and conditions. Unions continue to fight for the intrinsic rights of teachers and staff through collective bargaining agreements.
If you want to see what our last contract looked like, click below:
So to recap, there are 4 key reasons to join DCF:
1. DCF is working toward restoring collective bargaining and getting teachers and staff a binding contract that they have a part in negotiating.
2. We have an opportunity to elect a union friendly school board in 2025.
3. We need to demonstrate strong union membership numbers to potential candidates so they feel pressure to work with us.
4. By joining today, you are helping to build our collective strength to reach the above goals.
What benefits do I get with DCF union membership today while we fight for a contract?
- A voice in decision making as we work toward a contract
- Information about district policies and how they will affect your work
- Liability insurance and representation for workplace issues
- Access to legal services as it pertains to your employment
- Access to Share My Lesson, a free lesson sharing platform with union members across the country
- Access to free professional development courses both in person and online
- Liability insurance and representation for disciplinary issues
- AFT Plus gives you access to consumer discounts at thousands of businesses including dining, entertainment shopping, auto, financial services, insurance and more
