A long series of negotiations with representatives of public employers has led to a compromise version of the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act.  Most management groups including the Coalition of School Administrators, the Municipal League, and League of Counties have agreed not to oppose the legislation. The House version of the bill is sponsored by House Speaker Ben Lujan  introduced as House Bill 508 , it contains the same language as amended Senate Bill 46.  It will be heard  in the House Government and Urban Affairs Committee at about 9:30 AM in Room 324 of the Capitol on Thursday, February 6!  Remind all committee members as well as other House Members, and all Senators to support school employees' (and other public employees) collective bargaining rights.

The legislation still contains language that:

(1) forces local board policies adopted since 1991 to comply with most provisions of the new law; 
(2)adopts a scope of bargaining that forces school management to talk about professional and instructional concerns; and 
(3)a impasse resolution procedure that ends in final binding arbitration.
  
These three issues are the heart of the new legislation.  Call all House Members and ask them to support House Bill 508.

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees will host a noon rally at the State Capitol on Thursday, February 6 in support of public employee bargaining.  All public employees and supporters are invited to attend. 

House Bill 451, providing 18 million dollars for a one time one percent increase for all school employees in the current school year has been introduced by Representative Sheryl Williams-Stapleton. This legislation fulfills House Democrats pledge to provide supplemental salary funding this year following their approval of the Budget negotiated in the Extraordinary Session of the Legislature last summer. Urge Democratic House Members to keep their pledge and support this token salary increase now.  The measure's first hearing will be in the House Education Committee.

Don't forget these this important event:

House Education Committee Hearing on February 8

We need to begin contacting all House Members, and all Senators as well as Governor Richardson, immediately regarding salaries and school budgets.  Our message must be simple:

• Schools need adequate new revenues, we can't find all the money need for salaries and reform by simply reallocating current budgets (although prioritizing salaries and the classroom over administrative costs is an important priority).

• All school employees deserve salary increases Now!  No category of employee should be left behind just because teacher salaries are the most easily ranked among the states!