For Immediate Release
Oct. 10, 2024
Stephanie Ly
stephanie.ly@aft.org
505-463-4867
RIO RANCHO, N.M.—After finally getting to the bargaining table and making some progress, officials from the University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center today walked away from the table, saying they had other commitments and are only available by phone and email moving forward.
This left the bargaining team of the United Health Professionals of New Mexico frustrated because it was clear the hospital wasn’t interested in improving patient healing conditions and working conditions.
“We’re greatly concerned about the hospital’s commitment to its community and employees,” said Gilbert Martinez, an MRI technologist at UNM SRMC.
The hospital continues to refuse all of the union’s solutions to improving patient healing conditions beyond a committee to look into safe staffing ratios. Also, UNM SRMC has been sitting on 10 weeks of money budgeted for 3 percent raises despite the fact that the union offered to waive its right to negotiate over the wages to expedite the process. Last week, this process was used during negotiations by another union, the International Longshoremen’s Association, and its employer.
“It’s egregious that UNM SRMC says it’s going to bargain in good faith and then tries to withhold the most basic benefits from many of its workers. We’re talking about basic dignity,” said Meisha Hunt, an RN at UNM SRMC.
Martinez said: “Our union’s bargaining team has been, and will continue to be, available in person to complete a fair and just tentative agreement for UNM SRMC nurses and other health professionals.”
Said Regina McGinnis, UNM SRMC physical therapist: “Hospital administrators say they care about their employees, but their actions don’t match their words. We are standing by, waiting to complete a tentative contract agreement that is fair to workers and good for their patients.”
Bargaining began Sept. 18.
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