Union members supporting Denver city employees rallied at the entrance to the Webb Building on Tuesday, vowing to give Mayor Mike Johnston “the fight he wants” over a proposal dealing with layoff procedures, even as the two sides prepare to begin collective bargaining in January 2026.

Johnston’s union critics are particularly upset that the rules would put emphasis on merit, as opposed to seniority. Opponents also argued the change is “insulting” and it creates opportunities for managers to “eliminate critics and rivals.”

After four hours of deliberations, the City and County of Denver Career Service Board approved changes to Career Service (CS) Rule 14, which deals with layoff procedures.

City officials said the updates are intended to ensure the city can meet the needs of its residents “with skilled, knowledgeable workers,” particularly in light of a projected $200 million budget shortfall next year.

Union members accused the Johnston administration of “changing the rules” before the city’s voter-approved collective bargaining can begin.

“Mr. Mayor, you wanted a fight. Well damn it, you got it,” said retired labor organizer and 51-year Teamster member Ronnie Houston. “We are tired of you abusing and mistreating these workers — they deserve your respect and they deserve to be treated right.

Voters in November of last year approved Referral Question 2U, which makes nearly 7,000 city employees who are not already part of a union eligible to organize and form bargaining units on Jan. 1, 2026.

Johnston defended the proposed rule change.

“The rule change is an important step toward ensuring our workforce meets the needs of our residents even during difficult economic times,” he said in a statement. “I appreciate the board’s careful consideration and the many city employees who shared their feedback and helped shape a rule that meets the needs of our employees and our community.”

The changes to Career Service Rule 14 include the following:

• Refine layoff evaluation criteria: Layoff decisions will be based on a combination of factors, including performance history, skills, abilities and length of service, with exceptions for employees entitled to military service credits. If there is a tie between employees in overall ranking at the end of the evaluation process and prior to applying the military service credits, then length of service shall serve as the tie-breaker.

• Remove “bumping” rights: Employees will no longer be able to displace or “bump” other employees in lieu of being laid off.

• Add layoff protections for employees nearing retirement eligibility: Protections have been made for employees who are within 90 days of retirement eligibility.

• Refine reinstatement rules: Eligible former employees will be listed for one year from the effective date of the fiscal layoff within their department or agency in a given fiscal year, unless removed for cause.

Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) employee Kenneth Lundburg said he finds the Career Service Board’s vote “unbelievable.”

“My thing is the residents gave us the voting power, they voted for us to have the bargaining contract — they could at least have waited until we got this contract situated before they wanted us to force us to have layoffs,” said Lundburg, who works in the city’s solid waste department.

During his campaign for mayor, Johnston gained endorsement from the SMART Local 9 Sheet Metal Workers Union.

Some claimed that morale among city employees is low, with many already looking for jobs.

“I think it’s ironic that Mayor Johnston spent millions and millions of dollars fighting homelessness, and yet he’s going to put some of his workers into a state of homelessness,” said Lisa Calderón, who ran against Johnston in the mayoral race.

The city’s Office of Human Resources said employees selected for layoffs will receive a 30-day notice and the city will continue to recognize military service.

No layoffs have been announced at this time, but they are expected to begin in August.