LaborWeb Articles

AFSCME statement re: NM Voices for Children Report:NM Short 100,000 Jobs to Rebound from Recession

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

New Mexico’s public employment numbers and services have suffered alongside other sectors of our economy. Combining other factors, including ten years of regressive tax policy, below national average school testing results, some of the lowest graduation rates in the nation, diminished federal funding, and a drastically cut state budget, NM’s table is hardly set for an economic recovery.

NM Supremes To Rule on 5 Year BACK PAY Case!

Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Not an Illusion: $20 Million Dollars / 10,000 NM State Employees

Attorney Youtz laid out a simple and elegant position for the Justices and the 100+ AFSCME members crammed into a capacity NM Supreme Court Building. “Is the State bound by a legal agreement when the legislature appropriates enough money [for the raise] and breeches the contract by using that money elsewhere? For example, if the state enters into a contract to purchase, at a specific price, CAT tractors, and later decides to pay less, CAT has a legal right to hold the State to that agreement and be paid.”

Joint Statement on NM GOP Leadership Misogynistic Comments /// AFSCME Council 18 Womens Committee and AFSCME NM Retirees

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

It is right that Bernalillo County Republican Committee Executive Director Steve Kush lose his job for calling a labor advocate, 'A Radical B*tch' and worse during an April 23 Bernalillo County Commission meeting.

Women are fed up with hearing these ugly comments only to see their cohorts and the media offer a slap on the hand, and dismiss their tirades as social media slip ups.

Historically, even before the phrase ‘glass ceiling’ was coined, Union women like ourselves fought hard to push against it. We’ve never enjoyed the luxury of speaking irresponsibly and with a cavalier attitude toward our male counterparts as we were working twice as hard for half the wages and are still fighting for equal pay. Judging eyes of the world are always upon professional women and our daughters carefully watching as we blaze trails.

Days like these are hard to weather, reflecting on how far we have come as women and as a society only to realize that many haven’t evolved in their thinking and continue to define us within the restricting confines of antiquated gender stereotypes.

It is no excuse that the comments came via Twitter, or Facebook, nor that they had a bad day, or were exhausted and “did a stupid thing.” Mr Kush could not “cross the line” by publicly airing his miscreant rants, because sadly, like many others, his mind already lives there.

These leaders of the GOP should have to stand before their mothers and lay themselves bare.

Barbara Pardo, President
AFSCME Council 18 Retirees

Connie Derr, Executive Director
AFSCME Council 18

Cathy Townes, President and Chair
AFSCME Local 477, & AFSCME 18 Women’s Committee

PEOPLE Convention JUNE 1, 2013

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Fighting for Candidates Who Will Fight for Us!

CLICK to Register for the AFSCME Council 18 P.E.O.P.L.E. Convention on Saturday June 1.

For public employees, the people we elect determine the quality of our lives and our livelihood. Our wages, benefits, working conditions, health and safety, and even whether we have jobs at all, are in the hands of officials who influence our future. Unless, that is, we hold them accountable. Our activism in politics is incredibly important.

Details: SATURDAY JUNE 1st, Sheraton Uptown ABQ

Valencia County Public Safety Vote on First Union Contract

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

“Valencia County Manager Bruce Swingle is a tactical man, but he is fair and bargained with us in good faith.” Andres Nevarez, Valencia County Detention Center Officer and negotiator with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2745, share these words following ratification of their first union contract.

We Are AFSCME!

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:00:00 GMT

AFSCME Council 18 represents more than 15,000 public employees across New Mexico. We perform many of the state's most important jobs—from childcare providers to corrections officers—and work to make sure our rights, our families and our communities are protected. To learn more about our union and meet our members, please take a moment to watch the following video.

2011 AFSCME PEOPLE Convention

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Sisters and Brothers

Elections directly affected the pay of our members, health care for all New Mexicans, and almost had a devastating impact on current workers' retirement plans. We're up against a combination of anti-government radicals in the Tea Party, monster insurance companies, huge out-of-state corporations with armies of lawyers and accountants to scam the state out of tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, and politicians who take our members and the work they do for granted.