New Mexico corrections officers enjoy a big union victory
ALMAGORDO, New Mexico – Corrections officers who keep the Otero County Detention Center safe and operating are celebrating their union.
On October 20, The New Mexico Public Employee Labor Relations Board certified AFSCME New Mexico to represent the COs at that facility.
“These officers, like so many public safety employees across the country, are understaffed, underpaid, and doing some of the most difficult and demanding work imaginable. They deserve respect, fair compensation, safe working conditions, and a meaningful voice on the job,” AFSCME New Mexico said in a statement shared on social media.
The workers filed their petition for representation on April 1. Otero County threw up roadblocks, including claiming that an organization that had been inactive for decades was still representing the officers, according to AFSCME New Mexico.
The county’s response made the COs realize that their voices and workplace concerns weren’t priorities for their employer.
“Now, the officers have taken an important step forward. With AFSCME New Mexico certified as their representative, they have a union that can stand with them, fight for their interests, and work toward the fair treatment and better working conditions they deserve,” the workers’ union said.
Public safety professionals around the country are increasingly turning to AFSCME to build power at work, advocate for safety, secure better wages, improve healthcare benefits, and ensure a stable retirement. AFSCME members in corrections, law enforcement, and emergency response defend our freedoms and those of the communities we serve.
Visit the AFSCME Public Safety website to get involved and learn more.
