Siding with a group of unions, the New Mexico Supreme Court has ordered state labor officials to revamp the way they set wages and benefits for certain public works projects.
The court issued its ruling Monday, saying a 2009 change in the law clearly requires wages and benefits for public projects to be based on collective bargaining agreements.
The New Mexico Building and Construction Trades Council along with unions representing electricians and sheet metal workers first raised concerns in 2011. At the time, state officials told the court they would be able to set prevailing wages and benefits within months.
When that didn't happen, the unions filed another petition.
Albuquerque attorney Shane Youtz says thousands of New Mexico trade workers stand to get a pay raise thanks to the ruling.
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