Wage negotiations remain at a standstill between union and UNM Hospital

By Lauren Lifke

Last week, the University of New Mexico Health and a union representing almost 400 employees reached an impasse regarding their raises .

The United Health Professionals of New Mexico division of the American Federation of Teachers rejected a fifth invite to the negotiation table on behalf of the 380 employees it represents, according to UNM Hospital .

The main disagreement between the two groups lies in the issue of “pro re nata” — translated to “as the need arises” — employees. AFT wants to include these PRN employees in its contract, and UNM Health’s position is that “temporary employees cannot lawfully be covered under a union contract,” according to spokesperson Chris Ramirez.

Shane Youtz, the attorney for the union, maintains that PRN employees are permanent employees. The only difference between a PRN nurse and a regular nurse is that a regular nurse has set shifts, he said.

“A PRN nurse will have a more variable schedule, but they work side-by-side at the hospital, and neither of them are temporary employees. We’re not trying to negotiate for temporary employees,” Youtz said.

In November 2023, the Public Employee Labor Relations Board ruled that PRNs are regular public employees. It also concluded that the Public Employee Bargaining Act’s objectives — which include guaranteeing public employees’ right to organize and bargain with employers — would not be fulfilled if these rights were conditional and based on how often an employee works.

Ramirez, on the other hand, said the hospital defines a regular worker as a full-time employee of the hospital who receives the benefits that come with regular employment.

“New Mexico law states that only regular, non-probationary employees are eligible to be union employees,” he said.

Earlier this month, UNM Health gave 3% wage increases to every health care employee except members of AFT. It was the second raise for employees this year, according to UNM Health . In January and February, all employees, including members of AFT, were given a wage increase. AFT then filed a Prohibited Practice Complaint against UNM Health because the wage increase was given unilaterally without prior bargaining.

“In order to give a raise, you have to consult with the union. You have to bargain with the union. It’s required,” Youtz said.

When raises were given unilaterally to other employees this month, AFT was excluded because of this complaint, Ramirez said.

“They did not want us to give raises to their employees unless it was bargained for. We respected that, and we did not offer AFT employees raises,” Ramirez said.

UNM Health has offered to negotiate wage increases for the non-PRN employees who are a part of AFT, according to Ramirez. On Aug. 21, UNM sent a proposal to AFT requesting bargaining for non-PRN employees to resume while a District Court judge considers an appeal about whether PRN employees should be included.

“If they win the appeal, which is possible, then that would change things,” Youtz said. “But as of right now, the law is they have to be in the union, and they have to be at the bargaining table.”

The local division of AFT consists of about 300 non-PRN and 80 PRN employees.

“We’re not going to sell out 80 people in favor of 300,” Youtz said. “We all walk together. We walk in step, and we’re going to fight for the 80 as well.”

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