The University of New Mexico Hospital has announced a 3 percent wage increase for its employees at the Lomas Blvd. campus, its clinics, and many employees at the UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center (SRMC). This raise is made possible due to newly increased Medicaid reimbursement, supported by the New Mexico Health Care Authority.
Kate Becker, CEO of UNM Hospital, expressed pride in offering this wage increase. “Our teams work incredibly hard on behalf of our patients to provide high-quality, safe, equitable health care,” said Becker. “No amount of money can truly express how appreciative we are, but I hope our teams know how much we value their contributions to make our state healthier and safer.”
Effective August 4, 2024, the wage increase applies to all non-union employees. Additionally, UNM Hospital has successfully negotiated the same increase with several labor unions: National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees District 1199NM Licensed & Technical Staff; National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees District 1199NM Support Staff; Communications Workers of America (CWA); Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA); and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) working at SRMC.
However, employees at SRMC represented by United Health Professionals NM division of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) will not receive this raise. In February, despite failed negotiations with AFT leadership, UNM Hospital provided these employees with a similar raise given to other staff in January and February. Following this action, AFT filed a Prohibited Practice Complaint alleging that the hospital violated state law.
UNM Hospital disagrees with AFT’s position but will respect it by not providing the new wage increase without a bargained-for agreement. The hospital claims it has asked AFT’s leadership to negotiate four times in the past year without success.
A key issue in negotiations is AFT's desire to include PRN (pro re nata) employees—freelance temporary workers—in their membership. The hospital argues that including PRN employees is unfair to regular staff who have demonstrated long-term commitment.
UNM Hospital aims to reach an agreement with AFT so that all represented employees can benefit from wage increases. Despite accusations from AFT leaders about safety and employee morale at SRMC, hospital data reportedly contradicts these claims.
