AFSCME Council 18

08/11/2026

CYFD’S REVOLVING DOOR WON’T STOP UNTIL BAD MANAGEMENT DOES

How many dedicated employees have to leave CYFD before the administration admits there is a management problem?

Experienced workers who have poured their hearts and souls into CYFD’s mission are leaving, or being forced out. Probationary employees are walking away—or being pushed out—before completing their first year. Yet instead of addressing why workers are leaving, or possible candidates not even applying, management continues to rely on punishment, threats, and unrealistic expectations, fostering a toxic work environment. 

The examples speak for themselves: An employee threatened with losing the 1% wage increase for not signing a last-minute evaluation that was without merit. Another disciplined after simply offering to raise the U.S. flag when a coworker was going to be late. An employee disciplined for a management created client privacy breach.

And when AFSCME raised concerns about workers’ potential exposure to fentanyl while doing their jobs, CYFD was more concerned that the union raised the issue than with addressing it. AFSCME refused to back down. CYFD has now agreed to develop worker-safety protocols.

There are many good lower level supervisors and managers at CYFD—but the overall management culture must change. From the Office of the Secretary to the departments of Employee Relations and Human Resources, a healthy workplace is not top of mind, or even in the middle.

The amount of resources that CYFD spends to investigate and discipline workers for issues that in any normal work place would never rise to even counseling, could better be spent hiring investigators and social workers. This is abuse of taxpayer money.

CYFD workers already perform incredibly difficult, emotionally demanding work protecting New Mexico’s children and families. They should not have to come to work under a constant cloud of fear about the next discipline, evaluation, or threat to their livelihood.

AFSCME will continue fighting baseless discipline and unjust terminations and demanding safe working conditions, due process, dignity, and respect.

CYFD WORKERS ARE NOT THE PROBLEM.

CYFD must stop driving good employees out the door. Stop managing through fear.

This CYFD management culture is wrong for New Mexico.

We are counting on the legislature and all elected leaders to support change in CYFD. It’s broken at the top and no amount of glue can fix it.

08/10/2026

💚 Building Union Power: AFSCME New Mexico ELITE Stewards in Action!

Nearly three dozen AFSCME members from across New Mexico—from Silver City to Clayton, state government to local government—came together August 7–8 at the AFSCME Lujan Union Hall in Albuquerque for our Summer 2026 ELITE Steward Training.

The two-day training was led by talented AFSCME New Mexico Member Educators Kevin Touchton, Victoria Leonard, Gary Slate and Heather Wright.

Members sharpened the skills they need to be strong frontline union leaders: understanding and enforcing collective bargaining agreements; grievance fact-finding, writing and presentation; communicating with the bargaining unit; growing membership and building workplace power; engaging workers in political action; and much more.

These frontline union warriors now join several hundred skilled AFSCME stewards across New Mexico who stand up every day for their coworkers, their contracts and strong public services.

Want to join them? Our next AFSCME ELITE Steward Training is October 2–3 at the AFSCME Santa Fe office. Visit the AFSCME New Mexico website to register for trainings and other activities.

Get trained. Get involved. Build power. Be the union!

08/01/2026

Stand Together for Albuquerque's Public Services!

AFSCME City of Albuquerque Union members—your voice matters!

Join us Monday, August 3, at 5:00 p.m. at the Albuquerque City Council Chambers to support the proposed Gross Receipts Tax increase that helps fund the essential public services our community depends on every day—and supports the dedicated public employees who deliver them.

As AFSCME Locals 624, 1888, 2962, and 3022 stand united in contract negotiations for better wages, it's more important than ever that we show City leaders — Mayor Keller and City Council — we're united in our commitment to strong public services and the workers who make Albuquerque happen. Pass the Gross Receipts Tax Now!

Stand with your union. Stand up for public services. See you Monday at 5:00 p.m.!

07/25/2026

Dedicated. Skilled. AFSCME New Mexico Strong: San Miguel County's EMTs and Paramedics Deserve the Best.

Every day, the EMTs and paramedics of AMR in San Miguel County answer the call when lives are on the line. They respond to medical emergencies, provide lifesaving care, and serve their communities with professionalism, compassion, and unwavering dedication. As proud union members of AFSCME New Mexico, Local 360, they know that when workers have a strong voice, they are better equipped to provide the high-quality public service our communities deserve.

These professionals are also celebrating an important improvement in their working conditions. After spending far too long in an inadequate facility, these hardworking professionals have finally moved into a new double-wide station complete with air conditioning, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a washing machine. These are not luxuries—they are the basic working conditions every emergency responder deserves after long shifts caring for others.

The people of San Miguel County benefit every day from the commitment and expertise of these dedicated medical professionals. Investing in the workers who protect our communities means investing in better emergency care for everyone.

Thank you to our AMR EMTs and paramedic AFSCME union members for everything you do! Your union stands proudly with you because you deserve respect, safe working conditions, and the resources needed to continue delivering outstanding care.

07/21/2026

AFSCME NEW MEXICO Local 624’s “Strongest”: City of Albuquerque sanitation drivers rolling out early every morning to keep the city’s residential and commercial areas clean and healthy.

07/21/2026

Union Strong Before the Sun Comes Up! 💪🚛

Before the sun rises over Albuquerque, AFSCME Local 624 sanitation drivers are already on the move, leaving the Edith Yards to serve every corner of our city. Whether they're collecting from neighborhoods or commercial businesses, these dedicated workers do the essential job of keeping Albuquerque clean, healthy, and moving forward.

AFSCME New Mexico staff and AFSCME Local 624 President Louis Montoya were proud to be there early Friday morning to greet these hardworking members before they hit their routes. It was a great opportunity to thank them for the vital work they do every single day and to listen to the issues that matter most to them.

Being a member of AFSCME Local 624 means never facing workplace challenges alone. Union members have a powerful voice on the job, the protection of a strong contract, and the backing of thousands of fellow workers who stand together for better wages, safer working conditions, and respect on the job.

Every conversation, every new member, and every act of solidarity makes our union stronger. If you're not yet a member, now is the time to join your coworkers and be part of the movement that's making a difference. When we stand together, we have the power to improve our workplaces, strengthen the services we provide, and build a better future for everyone.

Thank you to the incredible sanitation crews of AFSCME Local 624. Your dedication keeps Albuquerque running, and your union is proud to stand beside you.

When We Fight, We Win!

07/18/2026

Deb Haaland Inspires AFSCME Members: Together We Can Build a Stronger New Mexico

Energy, optimism, and solidarity filled the Center for Progress and Justice event venue in Santa Fe last night! AFSCME New Mexico members and families and friends gathered for the AFSCME Summer Social and the official kickoff of support for Deb Haaland's campaign for Governor and Congressman Gabe Vasquez's re-election.

The highlight of the evening was an inspiring address from Deb Haaland, who spoke passionately about her commitment to working families, respecting public employees, protecting workers' rights, and investing in the public services that strengthen every New Mexico community. Her message made it clear that when working people have a seat at the table, New Mexico is stronger.

The evening also featured outstanding music by Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers, energizing remarks from Senator Linda Trujillo and AFSCME New Mexico Deputy Director Connie Derr, and great food served with the help of the Santa Fe Boy Scout Troops 57 and 53. New Mexico voter registration volunteers helped ensure more New Mexicans are ready to make their voices heard this election.

A special thank you to AFSCME Santa Fe-area State Local 477 President Gary Slate for serving as Master of Ceremonies and to the members of Local 477, Santa Fe County Employees’ Local 1782, State Corrections Officers’ Local 3422, City of Santa Fe Employees’ Local 3999, Chapter 18 Retirees, and the many future union activists who joined us.

Now the work begins. Every conversation, every volunteer, and every vote helps build the power working people need. Visit afscme18.org to get involved and join us in electing leaders who stand with working families and public employees.

When union members stand together, organize together, and vote together, we make New Mexico happen.

07/14/2026

New Mexico Public Employees Deserve Safe and Comfortable Workplaces

No employee should have to spend their workday in an office that is uncomfortably hot or cold. Yet AFSCME New Mexico members at several state workplaces, including the Department of Workforce Solutions and the Children, Youth and Families Department, continue to report office temperatures that make it difficult to do their jobs and serve the public.

The responses we've heard are simply not good enough. "The building is leased, so we don't control the temperature." "We're looking into it." Or, a vendor is “working on it”, and has been for many months. Meanwhile, employees continue to work in uncomfortable conditions with no meaningful resolution.

A safe workplace isn't limited to preventing injuries—it also means providing a work environment where employees can perform their jobs without being subjected to excessive heat or cold. Workers deserve action, not excuses.

AFSCME is pressing the State to ensure agencies take responsibility for providing workplaces that are safe, comfortable, and conducive to delivering quality public services. Whether a building is owned or leased, employees should not bear the burden of inadequate facilities.

While many employees are struggling with excessive heat inside state offices, we must also ensure that workers whose jobs require them to be outdoors are protected from dangerous heat exposure. Employees working in direct sunlight face serious health risks, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke, particularly during New Mexico's hottest months.

Every employer — state, city, county, as well as private employers — has a responsibility to provide reasonable protections, including regular access to shaded or air-conditioned rest areas, cool drinking water, cooling devices where appropriate, and sufficient break periods to allow workers to recover from the heat.

No one should have to choose between doing their job and protecting their health. Every worker—whether in an office, on a construction site, maintaining roads, caring for parks, or performing other outdoor public services—deserves a safe workplace that protects them from extreme temperatures.

We will continue fighting until our AFSCME members throughout New Mexico have the working conditions they deserve because when workers are respected, the public receives better service. Stand with your union to fight for your rights!

07/12/2026

Public Officials Must Lead With Respect

When elected officials can't defend their positions with facts, they should never resort to personal insults.

Alamogordo Commissioner Al Hernandez crossed the line last week by calling AFSCME Local 3818's Union President "stupid" while she was advocating for city employees and the public services they provide. That kind of behavior is beneath the office he holds and has no place in public discourse.

The president of Local 3818 was doing exactly what her fellow workers elected her to do—speaking up for employees, their families, and the residents who rely on quality public services. Attempting to silence or demean union leaders through name-calling is not leadership. It is disrespectful to every city employee she represents.

Public employees deserve leaders who will listen, engage in honest debate, and treat people with dignity—even when they disagree. Commissioner Hernandez owes the union president, city employees, and the people of Alamogordo an apology.

AFSCME will not be intimidated by insults. We will continue to stand up for workers, fight for strong public services, and demand that those elected to serve the public conduct themselves with the professionalism and respect their office requires.

Working people deserve better. Alamogordo deserves better.

Responsible leadership is reaching out to the press and people whom you may disagree — and choosing to inform, to listen, and to own the decisions that are, after all, your own.

07/03/2026

WATCH: Members of Local 2499 speaking out about unsafe working conditions and requesting the removal of the MDC warden.

Local 2499 president Joseph Trujeque: “union members have repeatedly raised concerns regarding deteriorating conditions, critically low staffing levels, and safety risks for both officers and inmates. We have received no response, underscoring the absence of leadership and accountability.”