IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  6-1-06  CONTACT:  PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

SILVER CITY--Western New Mexico University employees voted in favor of union representation by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) at the June 1, 2006 election held on campus.

The election results showed 27 employees voted in favor of union representation and 4 opposed union representation.  Some 38 WNMU Maintenance Department blue-collar employees and campus police officers comprise the petitioned-for collective bargaining unit. The employee group accounts for about 11 percent of the approximately 343 regular fulltime staff employed at WNMU.        

 “The WNMU Board of Regents and the WNMU administration recognize and appreciate the remarkable contributions of WNMU employees.  The Board of Regents and the WNMU Administration respect the decision made by the employees and looks forward to working in a cooperative and professional manner with AFSCME in the contract negotiation phase of the process,” said WNMU President John E. Counts.  “We will continue to work with all of our outstanding WNMU employees in providing excellence in education for WNMU’s students and the communities we serve.”

The WNMU Labor Management Relations Board conducted the secret ballot election.  The WNMU Labor Management Relations Board is a neutral body that mediates between WNMU and AFSCME.  

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