Boulder Firefighters for a Stronger Boulder

Collective Bargaining Charter Amendment

In a unanimous vote on August 6, 2026, the Boulder City Council approved placing a charter amendment on the November 2026 ballot that guarantees Boulder firefighters the right to collectively bargain for fair working conditions and safety standards. To ensure public safety is never compromised, it strictly prohibits firefighter strikes and guarantees that if the City and the firefighters cannot reach an agreement, Boulder voters get the final say at the ballot box.

What does the Boulder Charter Amendment Do?

• Protects Public Safety: It explicitly bans firefighter strikes. Our community will never be without emergency response due to a labor dispute.
  

• Gives Voters the Ultimate Power: If negotiations stall, a neutral fact-finder reviews the final offers. If either the City or the firefighters reject the neutral recommendation, the decision goes to the voters in a special election. The citizens of the City of Boulder decide.
  

• Ensures Fair Treatment: It requires both the City and the firefighters to negotiate in "good faith" regarding safety, wages, working conditions, and equipment—helping Boulder recruit and retain top-tier emergency responders.
  

• Mirrors Proven State Standards: This aligns Boulder with established, fair labor practices for firefighters across Colorado, ensuring a standardized and transparent process.

How the Process Works

If voters in the City of Boulder vote yes in November, the amendment creates a clear, step-by-step framework for labor relations:

• Good Faith Negotiations: The City and the firefighter union IAFF Local 900 sit down to negotiate terms like safe staffing levels, equipment, wages, and benefits.
  

• Neutral Fact-Finding: If they reach an "impasse" (cannot agree), a qualified, neutral third party reviews the facts. This expert must choose either the City's final offer or the Union's final offer on each disputed issue—they cannot invent a compromise.
  

• The Democratic Tie-Breaker: Both sides have 14 days to accept the neutral expert's recommendation. If either side rejects it, the unresolved issues are put on a ballot. The voters of Boulder will then vote to finalize the contract.
  

• Financial Accountability: Whichever party rejects the neutral fact-finder's recommendation must pay for the cost of the special election, or share the cost equally if both reject it.

Quick Q&A

Q: Who does this Boulder Charter Amendment apply to?

A: All full-time Boulder firefighters, up through the rank of Battalion Chief. It does not include clerical staff.

Q: Will Boulder firefighters be able to strike if they don't get what they want?

A: No. Section 73(h) of the amendment strictly prohibits strikes, slowdowns, or willful absences.

Q: Doesn't the City of Boulder already negotiate with Boulder firefighters?

A:Yes, but it’s not written into the Charter of the City of Boulder.This amendment locks in the right to collectively bargain directly into the City Charter, protecting it from being changed at the whim of future city councils and creating a permanent, legally binding framework.

Q: Why does this need to go out to a vote in the City of Boulder?

A: All Charter Amendments need to be voted on by the residents of the City of Boulder. We need your Yes vote in November to make it happen!