Big Wins for Public Workers in the 2022 Legislative Session!
After a grueling legislative session, we are excited to share some big wins and also our plans for moving forward to accomplish even bigger things! House Bill 02 (the budget bill) passed both houses of the legislature and is awaiting a signature from the Governor. It includes:
- A 3% salary increase for Public Workers during fiscal year 2022, starting in April.
- A $15/hr minimum wage for Public Workers, starting in July. This includes our members at UNM, UNM Hospital and Central New Mexico Community College!
- A minimum 4% salary increase for State of New Mexico Workers, starting in July. This means that between the two increases, the lowest total raise any SoNM Worker will see is 7%. We are working on an online raise calculator for SoNM, so keep an eye out for the announcement when it goes live!
These huge steps forward were only possible because members across the state stepped up and sent email after email, called their legislators and gave testimony to committees about the realities of working for the public in New Mexico. We were able to give legislators insight on under-staffing, stagnant wages and scope of work concerns. We began to see the results of our hard work in the form of increased political power; we were included in more conversations, asked our position on issues and were seen, as we should be, as experts in public work.
While this budget is, undoubtedly, a huge win, we still have a lot to fight for. We know that we are losing many valuable employees and struggling to recruit new ones. We know people are having to cover the work of two or more people. We know there is work to do to ensure a good retirement and better benefits for us all. These things can only be won when we stand together.
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» If you are a member, consider joining one of our committees, like political action, communications, or organizing at cwa7076.org/committees.