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2015 New Mexico Legislative Session Summary

Spring 2015 NEWS - Legislative Summary / PEOPLE CONVENTION / Pres Saunders on Responsible SUPPORT for Law Enforcement
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20K views4 pages

2015 New Mexico Legislative Session Summary

Spring 2015 NEWS - Legislative Summary / PEOPLE CONVENTION / Pres Saunders on Responsible SUPPORT for Law Enforcement
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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NEW MEXICO WORKS OFFICIAL NOTICE

AFSCME Council 18 2015 PEOPLE CONVENTION MAY Spring 2015


SEE PAGE 3 16
AFTER THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME, NEW MEXICO LABOR
AND ALLIES VOW TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR WORKING FAMILIES
(SANTA FE--Mar. 21, 2015) Following
the conclusion of a dramatic 2015
Legislative Session, labor and working
family advocates gathered in front of the
Roundhouse to thank pro-worker
legislators and renewed their
commitment to fight for policies that
benefit all New Mexico working
families, not just the already wealthy.
Early on, anti-worker legislation, or so-
called "right to work" emerged as one of
the most divisive issues of the session,
but working people, labor unions,
community members, Democratic would spur job growth but ample Workers and community members
lawmakers, and other allies successfully statistics demonstrating it will diminish mobilized across the state to protect
mobilized to defeat the legislation in wages for all workers, lead to higher New Mexico's middle class. Hundreds
committee. "Right to work" opponents workplace fatalities, and diminish job turned out to the Roundhouse during
were able to point to academic research training and apprenticeship the course of the session to make their
showing there is zero evidence the law opportunities. issues heard at Moral Monday events
and committee hearings.
cont. pg 3

2015 NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE SESSION SUMMARY


WORKER RIGHTS Along with attacks on worker rights,
and closely related to it, is the
AFSCME played a key role in
national (mostly) Republican
defeating so-called "right to work"
movement to privatize state and
legislation this year. Defeating this
local government. Opposing
legislation was by far our top
outsourcing and privatization is one
priority, as passing right to work
of our top priorities every year at
would have eroded the rights and
every level of government. Making
voices of all workers for years to
this year's statewide privatization
come.
attempts even worse was the fact
There were other bad bills relating that the main privatization bill also
to unions, like the paycheck would have resulted in local and
deception bill introduced by a state government taking on billions
Senate Republican, but AFSCME of dollars in debt beyond current
played a big role in killing those as debt limits. So not only would many
well. public employees be privatized
AFSCME also helped lead the (meaning lower wages, little to no
charge to raise the minimum wage, health care, and a cancellation of
but House Republicans killed PERA and ERB retirement plans),
multiple bills to help hard-working but those remaining would have less
families and New Mexico remains and less funding and staffing as a
AFSCME Members worked alongside the entire stuck at $7.50/hour poverty wages result of greater debt payments.
NM Labor Movement and a large coalition of
community allies this session to hold the line for
for many full-time workers. AFSCME led a large coalition of
ALL working New Mexicans against partisan OUTSOURCING AND children's advocates, environmental
attacks and legislation designed to benefit the groups, and other unions who
politically connected and the very wealthy. PRIVATIZING JOBS
cont. pg 3
We Must Stand With Law Enforcement Officers
Lee A. Saunders, President AFSCME International
The vast majority of police officers protect while they themselves often carry only a
On Tuesday, April 14, during and serve their communities with honor, service weapon.
National Library Week, integrity and professionalism. As president And too often today, the danger they face
communities across the country will of AFSCME, a union that represents is because a politician cut funding to their
observe National Library Workers more than 100,000 public safety department without bothering to ask what
Day. We encourage you to observe employees, I will always speak out when kind of risk that would pose to our
this day, a time to honor the all officers are attacked based on the neighborhoods, or because a city council
contributions of AFSCME actions of a few. thought it would save some money by
members, including librarians,
During the past few months, our nation buying outdated equipment, only to find
library assistants, support staff and
has been engaged in a long-overdue but out that it was a bad deal that put lives in
others, who make libraries happen.
no-less-difficult discussion about race, jeopardy.
This is the 12th year that AFSCME,
justice and the role of law enforcement. When it's not danger they're facing, it's
the largest union of library
Let me be clear. Our union has long stood, disrespect. That comes when police officer
employees, with more than 25,000
unwavering, for the core values of the civil pensions are cut, when their collective
members, will observe the day.
rights movement, with fairness and justice bargaining rights are revoked, or when
National Library Workers Day 2015 for all paramount among them. We will they're asked to pay more and more for
is a chance to educate members and continue to do so. But our fight for justice healthcare benefits, or it comes from
the community about the challenges and respect extends to all women and men politicians like the Connecticut legislators
facing us and our plan to address who put themselves in harm's way every who refused to provide treatment for post-
them – AFSCME Strong. day, especially while in the line of duty as a traumatic stress to the brave officers who
law enforcement officer. responded to the horrific shooting at
STEWARD / MEMBER The members of our union will not
condone officers abusing their
Sandy Hook Elementary School.
And, finally, too often the disrespect police
TRAININGS COMING UP! communities' trust. But we will always that officers face comes from their fellow
stand with officers across this nation who citizens. When a handful of officers fail to
AFSCME Council 18 is committed keep us safe and who strengthen our uphold their duties or live up to our
to training the next generation of communities. It is sickening to see law expectations, all are vilified in a media
leaders to continue the fight for enforcement targeted with violence, as circus. Keyboard cowboys think nothing
workplace justice, dignity, and they have been nationwide in recent of firing off a tweet disrespecting police,
respect. months. knowing nothing of facing actual live fire.
Call 505-266-2505 or go online to Just a few days before Christmas, two We expect police officers to size up a
AFSCME18.org under the officers in Brooklyn, New York, were dangerous situation instantly and make the
Education & Training tab for gunned down in an ambush on their patrol right decision every time. We expect them
complete schedule and to sign up for car. Last month in Philadelphia, a police to be social workers. We ask them to be
the FREE ELITE Academy series officer was shot while protecting humanitarians.
of union trainings. customers in a video store as a robbery
unfolded. He'd stopped in to buy a game It is a mistake to think that because they
★ ELITE Level I, Part I are on the front lines, it's the role of police
Basic Steward Training
for his 8-year-old son, who'd made him
proud with good grades. Recently, in officers alone to fix the deep-rooted
April 17 and 18 2015 inequalities afflicting too many Americans.
AFSCME Hall - ABQ Ferguson, Missouri, two officers were
wounded -- deliberate shooting targets But officers must absolutely be active
★ ELITE Level II, Part I while keeping the peace at the protests participants in an honest dialogue about
Communications, Political
that have embroiled the city. the problems rooted in race and poverty
Action, Community Building that face our nation.
May 2, 2015 In all, 116 officers were killed in 2014,
AFSCME Hall - Las Cruces leaving behind wives, husbands and It is our job to figure out a way to make
children. These women and men answered American life more fair and equitable for
★ ELITE Level I, Part I everyone, and we cannot ignore this
Basic Steward Training a call to service. Every day, thousands
more like them suit up to keep our streets opportunity to have a frank conversation
June 5 and 6 2015 that brings everyone to the table.
AFSCME Hall -Santa Fe safe, knowing full well that they might not
make it home after their shift's end. They Together, we must confront the difficult
★ ELITE Level I, Part II truths about who we are as a nation and
guard our homes and businesses. When
Grievance Handling, set a course forward that strengthens our
Disciplinary Actions
disaster strikes, they come to the rescue.
They face down criminals with automatic neighborhoods, be they urban or rural.
June 27 2015
AFSCME Hall -Santa Fe weapons -- entire arsenals in some cases --
***OFFICIAL NOTICE***
LABOR VOWS TO
KEEP FIGHTING
cont. from pg 1

Citizens packed multiple town hall meetings


across the state to debate legislative issues
and inform their communities about the harm
of right to work legislation. Workers went
door-to-door and gathered thank you letters
to Senators who supported pro-worker
issues.
"Once the dust settles, we will see that
instead of using our limited time in the
legislature to prioritize the things that will
make our state a better place for all New
Mexico's working families, Republicans
under the leadership of the governor's office
wasted time playing politics with our state's
prosperity," said Jon Hendry, president of
New Mexico Federation of Labor.
"We thank the working family champions in
the legislature who helped to defeat terrible
legislation like the “right to work” scam. We
hope in the future, all our elected leaders will
work together to focus on the real priorities of
New Mexico working families: improving
public education, making healthcare more
affordable, ensuring safe staffing ratios in our
hospitals, raising the minimum wage,
attracting jobs and growing the economy."

2015 LEGISLATIVE BUDGET AND CAPITAL Capital outlay was another sadly
partisan anti-worker affair. To their
SUMMARY cont. from pg 1 OUTLAY
credit, senators in both parties, on a
oppose outsourcing our core public Governor Martinez and the Republican 40-0 vote, passed a $264 million capital
services. Together, we held all but two House introduced budgets with zero outlay budget. House Democrats
Democrats on the House Floor, and the raises for state and university employees, agreed to accept that clearly bipartisan
Republican privatization scheme was even though there was $83 million of compromise. House Republicans,
killed in the Senate by Democrats. new money available. This is, of course, though, at the bidding of Governor
the same governor who has proposed Martinez' staff, eliminated huge
PROTECTING PENSIONS pay freezes or pay cuts for each of the portions of capital outlay to help senior
Albuquerque Mayor R.J. Berry and his five legislative sessions she has been in citizens, kids, the sick, corrections
Republican consultants (who also work power, even though we've had strong officers, and dozens of buildings where
for Governor Martinez) pulled out all surpluses most of those years. The last public employees work (all to reward
the stops to get special treatment for two years, we've had a Democratic oil-patch donors with a new road). As a
high-end, well-connected management House to push through a total of 4% result of Governor Martinez and House
and cronies to raid PERA to raises over her objections. With the Republicans blowing up a strong
supplement their salaries. We worked Republican takeover of the House in the bipartisan agreement, thousands of
closely with PERA and with the 2014 elections, though, New Mexico New Mexicans won't have jobs, and
Albuquerque Police Officers budgets will likely continue to reflect New Mexico's infrastructure will
Association to expose fiscal their values of tax cuts for the rich and deteriorate for another year.
irresponsibility and other problems with corporations instead of investing in
raiding the pension fund, and stopped New Mexicans.
cont. pg 4
their attacks on PERA.
2015 LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY cont. from pg 3
GOOD GOVERNMENT bipartisan bill requiring all public
employers to allow sick leave donations.
Legislation to expose "dark money" in
independent expenditures died. JUST THE BEGINNING
AFSCME is involved in some If working families don't vote in big
independent expenditures but we're numbers, we’ll continue to face attacks.
honest about them, unlike billionaires and We know that so-called right to work
out-of-state corporate behemoths who do and other anti-worker legislation will
their best to hide their identities. return in the 2016 session, if not sooner.
Hopefully future bills will be simpler, We'll keep fighting, but we'll primarily
clearer, and will receive more support. be playing defense until workers, union
A slew of bad voter ID bills designed to and non-union, come out to vote. In
suppress votes of the elderly, the poor, and 2014, not enough did. It will fall to
especially Native Americans and AFSCME and other unions to lead the
Hispanics in traditional communities were charge to return our government to pro-
killed in the Senate. worker, pro-family elected leaders in
2016 and 2018.
BIPARTISAN SUCCESSES
We'll be reaching out to every local, every
A few bills were clearly good for all New
worksite, and every member and retiree to AFSCME 18 - Web ACTIVE!
Mexicans and gained bipartisan support. Visit the AFSCME18.org webpage to read
ask you to be part of taking back our
One bill supported by both AFSCME and
the Children, Youth, and Families state over the next few months and years. about recent news and upcoming events.
We've escaped the worst of the attacks EMAIL: [email protected] to make
Department allows for CYFD repayment
that have already hit workers around the certain you are on the email lists to receive
of student loans for people who are already
country, but we can't hold on forever important action items.
working to protect kids or who decide to
make this noble profession their career. unless we take back our state by Join the conversation on social media
AFSCME also supported a successful organizing and being engaged in our FACEBOOK.com/AFSCME18
elections. TWITTER: @AFSCME18

NEW MEXICO WORKS


AFSCME Council 18 New Mexico
1202 Pennsylvania St NE
Albuquerque NM 87110

505-266-2505
505-266-2404 fax

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