This year’s New Mexico legislative session saw a lot of bills affecting workers and unions. Like the right to work, which would have allowed employees to get the benefits of union-negotiated contracts without having to pay union dues. Pre-emption laws, legislation that would stop cities and counties from enacting local labor laws, like raising the minimum wage. But none of it passed.
New Mexico Federation of Labor President John Henry is driving a bus across New Mexico to express appreciation for lawmakers who pushed back against these proposals.
“We are traveling through the state thanking law makers and general public for supporting us in the last legislative session– we had a pretty good session when we felt it could have been pretty bad” Henry said.
Even though much of the legislation was aimed at union workers, the broader impact would have been felt by all working New Mexicans Henry said.
“Workers rights are everyone rights. The things that we take for granted in now days; the weekend, 8 hour work day, overtime for 8 hours if you work for longer, health insurance, social security, these were all brought by the union movement. The union put these ideas and fought for them together, these effect all workers” Henry said.
A recent International Monetary Fund study reported unions increase the wages of the middle-income and the lowest-paid workers, reduce inequality, grow economies and boost productivity.
And other statistics show many New Mexico workers could use the help. Pew Research data shows the state has one of the nation’s largest middle classes declines, only Wisconsin is doing worse.
Democratic challenger for the New Mexico 2nd Congressional district Merrie Lee Soules was also at the rally. She said supporting unions could fortify the state’s faltering middle class.
“Our Country is seeing a return to prosperity after that horrible recession and I don’t see New Mexico southern NM, sharing equally in that prosperity.” Soules said.
50 years ago 15% of New Mexican workers belonged to a union, today it is closer to 5%. That is half the national rate of about ten percent.
Labor Federation of New Mexico President John Henry says he hopes the bus tour will motivate working New Mexicans to turn out and vote for pro worker politicians in the this year’s elections.
The bus tour also made stops in Truth or Consequences, Los Lunas, Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
