UE Local 1498-Graduate Workers United won $1600 in tuition coverage and a six percent wage increase in reopener negotiations with New Mexico State University this fall. “These are important wins for us and ensure that grads will have at least one class covered and a bit more money in our pockets come spring,” said Local 1498 President Alexander Allison. Combined with the 6.8 percent wage increase won in the initial year of their first contract, graduate workers at NMSU have won a combined 12.8 percent raise since joining UE.
The union also won international grad workers the right to enroll in state insurance plans, which is both a huge cost saving and a boost in coverage that will benefit half of the bargaining unit. “We fought for this in our first contract negotiations over a year ago and are thrilled that our pressure on the university has paid off,” reports Allison.
The local has won multiple grievances this semester, resulting in the reinstatement of international workers who were wrongfully terminated. Word is growing among workers about the utility of the union grievance process, which is keeping the local’s new Steward’s Council (a group of about 15 workers who were formally trained this semester) busy. Local 1498 reports that the university has not made the grievance process or associated info requests easy. They have dealt with expiring timelines and failed info requests too often, the latest of which has resulted in the local filing a prohibited practice charge (the New Mexico public-sector equivalent of an unfair labor practice) against the school, with the outcome yet to be seen.
The local has also been strengthening their organizational structure, with the formation of a new executive board strengthening the decision-making capacities of the union and helping greatly with overall efficiency. The long-standing Organizing Committee, which meets weekly, has been revamped into an Organizing Action Committee — a group of workers ready to do boots-on-the-ground organizing when events and issues arise, and constantly working on membership growth.
The Local 1498 Summer and Fall 2023 negotiating committee consisted of President Alexander Allison, Vice President Riley Schaner, former Vice President David Aviles-Rodriguez, Treasurer Regan Cadena, Chief Steward Hannah Sun, and College Bargaining Representatives Julia Olson and Trevor Karpinski. They were assisted by Field Organizers Matthew Soliz and Liz Solis.