NEA  CWA  AFSCME

Press Release

For immediate release:  October 23, 2009

Contacts:          NEA—Charles Bowyer, 505-238-0371

                        CWA—Robin Gould, 505-690-9584

                        AFSCME—Josh Anderson, 505-350-2200

Majority of unions representing state, university and

educational employees reiterate position on budget

The unchanged position of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Communications Workers of America(CWA), and the National Education Association (NEA-New Mexico) is that any cuts are bad, that revenues should come first, and that other alternatives should be looked at before cuts (like capital outlay and reserves).  We've also suggested ways to cut administrative costs in the state instead of insisting that there is no room for improvement.

Given that it appears certain that revenues will only be considered in the regular session in January, our three unions are taking realistic approaches to ensuring quality education, public safety, infrastructure, health care, and other vital services.  We will dedicate ourselves to working together with legislators and the governor to make sure that revenue increases are considered and passed in the January regular legislative session.

We believe this can be done without harming state, university, and K-12 employees, but only if we work with legislators and the administration with an understanding that crises require real dialogue, not ultimatums and threats.

We believe that if there are cuts this session, there should be shared sacrifice.  This crisis affects all of New Mexico, and all New Mexicans should work to solve it together.  If we all share in sacrificing a little, everyone, including the citizens and taxpayers of New Mexico, will be far better off than if some people exclude themselves from any sacrifice at all.  

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Carter Bundy
Political Action Representative
AFSCME International
1202 Pennsylvania St. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 266-2177 ext. 13 (work)
(505) 266-3155 (fax)