Denver Tenant Sues Landlords Over Retaliation for Union Organizing

Jessica Owens-Neckien, a tenant at Viña Apartments in Denver, has filed a lawsuit against property managers for retaliating against her union organizing efforts. The suit claims the lease's anti-union clause violates Denver law, which protects tenant organizing. After facing eviction threats for her union activities, Owens-Neckien serves as the class representative for the case, which seeks to prevent eviction for protected union activities and demands damages for affected tenants. The Viña Tenants’ Union, formed in 2023, advocates for improved living conditions amid ongoing maintenance issues, including broken intercoms and unsecured doors. This lawsuit follows a historic judgment won by the Justice for People Legal Center in favor of Denver tenants facing poor living conditions.

The Viña lawsuit names Syringa Property Management and its partners as defendants, emphasizing the ongoing struggles for tenant rights in Denver's affordable housing sector.