United Health Professionals of New Mexico Ratify Contract Agreement

RIO RANCHO, N.M.-Members of the United Health Professionals of New Mexico ratified a contract with the University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center, the union announced today, saying it is the first step in improving patient healing conditions and working conditions at UNM SRMC.

"It's been a long process to get a first contract. We know there is still more work needed for our patients, community and ourselves, and we are looking forward to doing more," said Samantha Hines, an RN at UNM SRMC.

Highlights of the contract include creation of a labor-management committee that will look into safe staffing ratios and other ways to improve patient healing conditions and working conditions, a wage increase, job protections and a prohibition on the hospital unilaterally changing the working conditions and benefits without negotiating with the union.

The union is comprised of nurses and other health professionals who work at UNM SRMC.

"This contract represents basic respect for hospital professionals who work tirelessly for their patients. It shouldn't have been so hard to get to this place, and the workers' tenacity and the public's support for their current or future caregivers moved the needle and resulted in this contract," said Randi Weingarten, president of the AFT, the parent union of the UHPNM. "We need hospitals to work collaboratively with their front-line workers and respect their input. When that happens, workers and patients are better off," she said.

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.