This bill sets up a process by which those most impacted by Colorado’s care crisis–direct care workers, people who receive care, employers—and government officials can come together to make recommendations to address chronically low wages, benefits and other issues that are driving care workers to leave the industry in record numbers.
Marilyn made her voice heard for years as we fought to raise wages for care workers and all Coloradans. Her advocacy inspired us all, and her leadership brought together care workers from every corner of our state.
This picture of Marilyn was taken during the signing of the $15 minimum wage for direct care workers in Colorado. A moment of pure joy that Marilyn played a pivotal role in accomplishing, and she was just getting started.
Governor Polis & the Joint Budget Committee announced that Colorado would enact a plan to increase Medicaid funded home care workers’ pay to a minimum of $15/hour.
Despite this momentous pay increase, the fight is not over.
We are demanding a transformative industry that invests long term in its workers, clients and communities.
Even as a pandemic spread across the globe, care workers showed up as the heroes we have always been.
We put ourselves on the frontlines not only for our clients and patients, but also for our industry, families and fellow care workers.
These victories for public safety and workers’ rights clarified how crucial care workers are to a safe and healthy society.
We also launched a survey that care workers have used to tell the real, everyday story of what they were experiencing in real time. Care workers voiced their concerns, challenges and make clear the demands they have to be protected and supported throughout the pandemic. Several thousands have completed the survey, growing our numbers dramatically.
This is one tactic we have used to build power to win major campaigns, but also meet care workers where they’re at in all of their pain, anxiety and determination.
In advance of the legislative session, CCWU members & allies began meeting with elected officials at the state capitol, knocking on doors to encourage other care workers to join us, and sharing our stories so the world began to understand the unfair working conditions and wages we were up against.
From there, we convinced more than 600 people to sign a petition in support of Senate Bill 19-238: An Act to Strengthen and Enhance the Home Care Workforce.
Finally, after the passage of SB 19-238, the Department Of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) established a process to review and enforce training requirements for home care workers.
None of these victories would have been possible without the leadership of CCWU members across the state.
By 2018, care workers across the state had been working in coalition with other industries for several years to get raising the minimum wage on the Colorado ballot.
Inspired by the stories they heard and experiences they shared while knocking on neighborhood doors and testifying at the legislature, care workers began planting the seeds for the creation of their own union.
It was clear that they needed a space to come together to advocate for better wages, dignity on the job and improved access to professional training on the job.
Together they created Colorado Care Workers Unite (CCWU) and began planning how to change legislation, the industry and their worksites as a united front.
Organizing committees popped up around the state and still meet regularly today.
Inspired by Occupy Wall Street and Fight for $15 movement, we were born from a similar place: determined to change the narrative about workers’ rights, racial-wealth divide and returning work power into the hands of workers. We are led, driven and powered by care workers so that we may change the industry to serve us, not the other way around. As care workers, we are the backbone of our communities and we are deserve dignity, respect and empowerment in the workplace.
It’s time to call on lawmakers to secure ALL of these rights for homecare workers:
We are devastated by the news of the passing of our care worker sister, a relentless fighter for workers’ rights, and founding member of Colorado Care Workers Unite, Marilyn Sorensen.
Marilyn made her voice heard for years as we fought to raise wages for care workers and all Coloradans. Her advocacy inspired us all, and her leadership brought together care workers from every corner of our state.
This picture of Marilyn was taken during the signing of the $15 minimum wage for direct care workers in Colorado. A moment of pure joy that Marilyn played a pivotal role in accomplishing, and she was just getting started.
We will deeply miss her, and we will continue her fight for her fellow care workers everywhere. Rest in Power, Marilyn. Your fight will always live on!
Governor Polis & the Joint Budget Committee announced that Colorado would enact a plan to increase home care workers’ pay to a minimum of $15/hour.
Despite this momentous pay increase, the fight is not over.
We are demanding a transformative industry that invests long term into its workers, clients and communities.
In advance of the legislative session, CCWU members & allies began meeting with elected officials at the state capitol, knocking on doors to encourage other care workers to join us, and sharing our stories so the world began to understand the unfair working conditions and wages we were up against.
From there, we convinced more than 600 people to sign a petition in support of Senate Bill 238: An Act to Strengthen and Enhance the Home Care Workforce.
Finally, after the passage of SB 238, the Department Of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) established a process to review and enforce training requirements for home care workers.
None of these victories would have been possible without the leadership of CCWU members across the state.
By 2018, care workers across the state had been working in coalition with other industries for several years to get raising the minimum wage on the Colorado ballot.
Inspired by the stories they heard and experiences they shared while knocking on neighborhood doors and testifying at the legislature, care workers began planting the seeds for the creation of their own union.
It was clear that they needed a space to come together to advocate for better wages, dignity on the job and improved access to professional training on the job.
Together they created Colorado Care Workers Unite (CCWU) and began planning how to change legislation, the industry and their worksites as a united front.
Organizing committees popped up around the state and still meet regularly today.
Inspired by Occupy Wall Street and Fight for $15 movement, we were born from a similar place: determined to change the narrative about workers’ rights, racial-wealth divide and returning work power into the hands of workers. We are led, driven and powered by care workers so that we may change the industry to serve us, not the other way around. As care workers, we are the backbone of our communities and we are deserve dignity, respect and empowerment in the workplace.
