CWA Public Service Workers Call on New Mexico Governor To Bargain in Good Faith

Last week, public service workers, represented by CWA Local 7076, held a rally at the New Mexico state capitol calling on Governor Lujan Grisham’s bargaining team to stop stonewalling and address the issues most important to state workers.

Governor Grisham has proposed language attacking fundamental worker rights like the right to blow the whistle on government fraud, abuse, and waste; denying union representation to protect employees from civil rights abuses under state and federal law; and attacking union representatives’ ability to investigate violations of worker rights.

CWA Local 7076 represents thousands of public service workers across​ thirteen state agencies. In addition to protecting workers’ rights, union members are also fighting for adequate compensation and benefits that match market standards. A 2023 study by the Legislative Finance Committee found that state workers in sciences, education, engineering, and healthcare earned 11% to 24% less than the market average. “The State must end the revolving door of its best workers leaving for better opportunities if it wants to address issues like education, child poverty, environmental protections, and health,” said CWA Local 7076 President Megan Green.

Over 100 people attended the rally, including members of CWA Local 7011 and other labor unions across the state. Members and leaders spoke about how the high vacancy rates in state employment are impacting workers’ ability to serve the citizens of New Mexico and how better working conditions like fair pay, better health insurance rates, remote work, and more paid leave will aid in worker retention.

 
Public service workers with CWA Local 7076 and allies rallied at the New Mexico state capitol to call for Governor Lujan Grisham and her bargaining team to come to the table and negotiate a reasonable contract that helps retain workers.

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.