American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees

American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees

President: Arcy M. Baca

Vice President: Rose Ulibarri

Secretary-Treasurer: Alan Ruckel

Recording Secretary: Brenda Watson

Executive Board: Virginia Lopez, Bella Lucero, and Linda Gonzales

Board or trustees: Christine Baca, Monica Villaire-Garcia, Lisa Lujan

American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees

1406 4th Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505

(505) 986-1365

Monthly Newsletter of AFSCME Local 477
DECEMBER 2008

MISSION STATEMENT

Local 477 is committed to providing services and representation to state employees for the purpose of creating a productive and harmonious work environment while fostering good labor management relations.

President’s Message

       From the Officers and the Board of Local 477 I want to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We have many things to be thankful for this year and many more to be hopeful for in the New Year. This is the time of year to be close to family and friends. My only request is that you be safe in your celebrations. We have many challenges in the coming year but together we can overcome them and prosper. God Bless you and your families.

     The elections are over with but we will now start seeing the affect the election is going to have on the Great State of New Mexico. Our state is fortunate to have an abundance of talented and qualified elected officials that are governing our state and now are being asked to help run our nation. I would like to first start by congratulating Governor Bill Richardson in his appointment to Secretary of Commerce. As state employees we will always be grateful for bringing back collective bargaining. We wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

     We will miss Governor Richardson but New Mexico will not miss a heart beat as we will have our first woman Governor; Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish another one of our talented elected officials will be our Governor. She will have big challenges facing her with the budget short falls that have occurred. She is fortunate but a challenge to have such great pool of talent to choose from to succeed her as Lieutenant Governor. We have heard many names mentioned that are very qualified. By no means are we making any endorsements or recommendations in the selecting of Lieutenant Governor but it is very exciting to hear names like Representative Lucky Varela and State Auditor Hector Balderas being mentioned. As state employees three issues are constantly on our minds in these troubled economic times, keeping our jobs, our pension, and a solvent retiree health care. The most positive thing we have going for us that we did not have 2 months ago is hope. We have a President and a Congress that believe in the working people of our nation and in our state we have a Governor and a Legislative Body that has the same core values and beliefs.

     Last week we were honored to host Congressman elect Ben Ray Lujan in a town hall meeting   in the House of Labor. It was short notice yet we had a good turnout. Mayor Coss, Councilman Miguel Chavez, Councilman Ron Trujillo, and Councilwoman Patti Bushed attended the meeting. We had union members from the City of Santa Fe there as well as members of the community. It was a good learning experience hearing the different people speak on their issues, because in reality we all have the basic same principles. We all want good jobs, good health care, good schools, and affordable housing. No one there asked for a hand out from government all that was asked was for a partnership from our federal government to accomplish these goals. Congressman Elect Lujan was very attentive and presented his plans and goals. I took pride in listening to one of our native sons articulate the heartfelt values that were instilled in us. It was a privilege to hear someone who understands the many cultures and beliefs that exist in Northern New Mexico. For the first time we have a Congressman that was born and raised in the 3RD Congressional District representing us. With that said we have been honored once again Congressman Lujan as he is our guest writer. 

Guest Writers:

       The results of this year's election showed a desire for change that swept across the country from coast to coast and sea to shining sea. Americans overwhelmingly voted for a new direction. I saw it across our state. The families I spoke with saw the American dream slipping away from them and their children. They wanted to see families and people put first and they wanted change.

     The families of New Mexico want opportunity and the chance to get ahead. They've seen their incomes stagnant and slip, they've seen their day-to-day costs rise and they've seen their jobs eliminated or shipped overseas. Every day in Congress I am going to stand up for the family that is working hard but struggling to get by. We need to provide health care for every working family so they can get care when they need it and they don't have to worry how they are going to pay for treatment. We need to create good-paying jobs in New Mexico, and we need to teach our young people the skills they need to fill these jobs so they can stay in their communities and raise their families in New Mexico. I'm going to work hard with these goals in mind.

     I'd like to thank everyone who worked hard on my campaign and ASFCME for their support. In Congress, I will fight for you, the working people of New Mexico. Congressman elect Ben R. Lujan

Announcements

 Meetings: We will continue to have our Local 477 meetings on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30

Negotiations: If you have any concerns or issues you would like addressed at negotiations please let Christine Baca, Rose Ulibarri, or Robert Upton know.