HB75 and SB163 tabled in Senate Public Affairs committee, working family advocates thank legislators who stood strong against bills

Written by the NMFL -Mar. 10, 2015 - Legislation to make New Mexico a “Right to Work” state failed to pass out of the Senate Public Affairs committee on Tuesday night after HB75 and SB163 were tabled on a party line vote. Since the start of the session, labor and community members have been taking action together to speak out against the controversial proposal in public hearings, rallies, and community town halls across the state. This past Sunday, hundreds of New Mexico workers packed the Roundhouse and testified against “Right to Work” for the first SPAC meeting on “Right to Work” bills.

Senators spent nearly two hours of their meeting dedicated to the “Right to Work” bills, with Senators on both sides of the debate taking the opportunity to make impassioned arguments for and against the passage of the bills. Most notable was Senator Jacob Candelaria, who described “Right to Work” as a “cloud of rhetoric in search of solid ground.”

“We are so grateful to the Senators who helped to ensure the prosperity of New Mexico’s economy tonight by voting down terrible ‘Right to Work’ legislation. We also want to thank the Senators who protected the committee process and voted to stop the fast-tracking of HB75 on the Senate floor, as well as the House members who fought valiantly to oppose ‘Right to Work’ in their chamber,” said Brenda Watson, Librarian, AFSCME 477. “We look forward to all our elected officials working together toward solutions to benefit all of our state now that this distraction has been put to rest, and we will take action to protect against any Hail Mary moves to bring these dead bills back to life.”

Sunday Rally Against RTW

On Sunday, there were over 500 union members at the RTW Rally enjoying food, music, and great speeches while Teamsters waved their Teamster towels. Buses and carpools full of working families from Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and across the state arrived in Santa Fe prior to the hearing for a lively rally calling on Senators to stand strong against deceptive “right to work” proposals. Thank you to everyone that came out. To view the Local 492 photos Click Here

AFSCME also posted photos you can View Here