DENVER (KDVR) — A proposed change to Denver's career service code that would affect who gets laid off when the city makes budget cuts has some employees concerned and calling on leaders for change.

The city has gone back and forth on this proposal. Wednesday, city workers let policymakers know they are not happy with how the discussions are going.

Dozens of workers along with local labor unions rallied in front of the Wellington Webb Building, urging city leaders to consider the time they have put in as the City of Denver's Office of human services is looking to change the career service code, effectively removing the seniority rules for layoffs and opt for a merit0based system instead.

"These are the workers that have shown up year-round, through good times, bad, through our pandemic and every other struggle that the city has faced," said Sara Hess of Teamsters Local 17. Hess was one of several speakers at the rally.

"The city is proposing changes to career service rules that would deprioritize seniority as the basis for layoffs, a system that has worked for decades, and replace it with a so-called merit-based approach," said Jamie Landa, a CWA member, as fellow union members booed the city's proposal.

"Seniority is not just a number: it represents loyalty, experience and years of service to the people of Denver," she continued as workers cheered.

Since news of that proposal came out, the city came back and said they will consider an employee's length of service when making the cuts, but employees remain concerned they could still be on the chopping block despite working for the city for years.

The city's Career Service Board held a hearing to listen to employee concerns. Many employees were there to testify against removing seniority protections but some were in favor of a merit-based system.

"As someone who is newer to the City and County of Denver, it is disheartening to hear that because I do not have tenure, my value is diminished, specifically relating to the structure of Rule 14 as it currently stands. I understand seniority matters, but treating employees as less than simply because they have not been here as long, doesn't feel like the right solution," testified an employee who has served with the city for four years. "Some see bumping as a way to protect employees, but for those of us without seniority, it creates a real hardship and uncertainty in the workplace. And while I may seem too young and too new to fully understand these changes, I still believe my voice and voices like mine deserve to be heard. That said, I do appreciate that the proposed revisions offer a more structured and respectful process for employees' transitions."

The hearing was more than five hours long. After hearing the concerns, the board did not reach a resolution on the issue. They are set to be back on July 1.