Regents to consider resolution adoption during May meetings
The University of New Mexico filed an application with the State of New Mexico Public Employee Labor Relations Board (PELRB) in mid-January requesting approval of a new labor relations resolution for the University. The new resolution represents a complete overhaul of the Board's long-standing policy regarding labor relations at the university.
The UNM Board of Regents and the PELRB will consider adoption of the new labor relations resolution at their May meetings.
"This will be an historic change to our policy," said Susan Carkeek, vice president, UNM Human Resources. "It further advances the long history of positive labor relations this university has enjoyed with its unions."
The new policy follows the regulatory standards set by New Mexico labor law while safeguarding the constitutional and statutory power of the UNM Board of Regents. Its major change is the creation of a three-member UNM-specific labor relations board with one member representing management and one labor, joined by a neutral third member chosen by the management and labor representatives. This three-member board would have oversight over both main campus and UNM Hospital labor issues.
Carkeek says UNM's unions have been kept apprised of the proposed changes and their response has been largely positive.
Media Contact: Susan McKinsey, (505) 277-1989; e-mail: mckinsey@unm.edu