ABQ Times

The University of New Mexico Hospital and the United Health Professionals NM division of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have agreed to resume good-faith bargaining. This development follows a ruling by a New Mexico District Court judge, who ordered that negotiations should continue while awaiting a decision on whether PRN (pro re nata) employees, or temporary freelance workers, should be included in the bargaining unit.

New Mexico law stipulates that only “regular employees” can be part of a bargaining unit. UNM Hospital interprets this to mean that temporary employees cannot join a public union. Other unions representing UNM Hospital employees also exclude temporary workers from their bargaining units. AFT's disagreement with this interpretation has stalled contract negotiations since February, leaving SRMC employees without an agreement.

Clarity from the court on the PRN issue is essential for fair negotiations between public employers and employee unions, including UNM Hospital and AFT. "We respect the Judge’s order, and we remain committed to doing what is right for our employees," said Kate Becker, CEO of UNM Hospital. She emphasized the need for good-faith bargaining so these employees can be covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

UNM Hospital has invited AFT to negotiate five times in the past year; AFT accepted once but walked away and refused four subsequent offers. Following the judge’s latest order, UNM Hospital expects AFT to engage in good-faith negotiations similar to those conducted with other unions representing hospital employees.

Jamie Silva-Steele, President of SRMC, expressed hope that AFT's leadership would end its campaign of personal attacks and misinformation about staff care quality. "This group of employees deserves focused conversations centered around how both the union and the hospital will support them," she stated.

The two parties are scheduled to meet next week for further negotiations.