Denver Charter Changes for the November 2003 Ballot
The group Friends of Denver Municipal Service filed a lawsuit on Wednesday hoping to overturn Referred Question 1A, according to the Rocky Mountain News [November 6, 2003, "City workers group sues to block overhaul of pay"]. From the article, "Friends of Denver Municipal Service filed the lawsuit in federal court. The group wants a temporary injunction to block the planned changes. The lawsuit names Hickenlooper, all 13 City Council members and the city and county of Denver as defendants. The ballot measure - 1A - strips the Career Service Authority system out of the City Charter, transforming it into an ordinance, which can be more easily be amended to save money during tough economic times. The change also gives the City Council more flexibility and sole discretion in setting salaries and benefits and allows incentives for workers." Well now, this is interesting.
Here's the coverage from the Denver Post [November 6, 2003, "Unhappy city workers file suit"]. From the article, "Hickenlooper hopes to create an incentive system that will reward productive workers with bonuses. Such a system wasn't possible under the existing charter rules for setting pay. Hickenlooper also contended that rising salary costs were adding to the city's financial burdens. The emotions of city workers on the day after the vote ranged from rage to stoic. Several listeners called a local radio station to vent their frustration anonymously at the Hickenlooper-backed change to the pay system. Last month, David Bufalo, deputy manager of public works, sported a button against the charter change while he escorted City Council members on a tour of the Colorado Convention Center's construction zone. On Wednesday, Bufalo, without his button, said he accepted the vote. 'I work for the citizens,' he said. 'The citizens have spoken.'"
Here's a editorial from the Denver Post about Referred Question 1A [November 6, 2003, "Mayor's first victory"]. From the editorial, "Now it's up to Hickenlooper and company to ensure that a fair system is created, where employees are valued and political patronage is non-existent. The old system made it illegal to give bonuses to employees who found ways to save the city money. Everyone knew that didn't make any sense. Now managers will be able to reward employees who work more effeciently and streamline government. The days of everyone getting the same raise, regardless of work ethic or success on the job, are over. Handsome rewards for top employees will speak volumes to those city workers still edgy about the changes. This campaign caused some employees to feel like they weren't valued. It's important that Hickenlooper begin to heal old wounds by being responsive to what city workers would like to see in the new rules. It was Denver's system, not the majority of its workers, that wasn't working.
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