Service & Solidarity Spotlight: New Mexico Public Sector Workers Win Back Hard-Earned Raise

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Thanks to their combined efforts and advocacy, AFSCME Council 18, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7076 and the AFT New Mexico are celebrating the restoration of a 1% raise for state workers that was removed from New Mexico’s budget.

Earlier this month, the Senate Finance Committee struck the pay bump for state workers, including public school and higher education staff, from the budget bill. In response, union members and community allies spoke out and mobilized for a Valentine’s Day press conference to urge lawmakers to do right by the workers who keep New Mexico running. House Democrats heard their demands and secured a workaround that would add the raise into the tax bill, rather than back into the budget. The legislation will now go to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for her signature or veto.

“Today’s action reaffirms the House of Representatives’ strong commitment to support working families across New Mexico,” union leaders said in a joint statement. “This is a huge win for public sector workers in New Mexico that represents more than the monetary value of a 1% raise—it is proof that when we stand together, shoulder to shoulder, workers can win.”