New Mexico police department workers gear up for first contract talks

BOSQUE FARMS, N.M. – Police officers and other workers at the Village of Bosque Farms Police Department are gearing up for their first contract talks after forming a union with AFSCME New Mexico over the summer. 

In July, the New Mexico Public Employee Labor Relations Board issued an order affirming the bargaining unit and formally recognizing AFSCME New Mexico as the employees’ union. 

The workers formed their union to secure fair wages and better workplace conditions, fight for more robust workplace protections, build a stronger police department, and improve recruitment. Forming a union will also strengthen the workers in their fight for more resources they need to serve their community. 

“This is a significant victory for the officers of the Bosque Farms Police Department,” said Connie Derr, deputy director of AFSCME New Mexico. “Public safety employees take on tremendous responsibility every day. They deserve a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their jobs, their families, their safety, and their ability to protect the community. By standing together, these employees now have that voice.” 

The organizing victory marks the beginning of the next phase: negotiating a first collective bargaining agreement with the Village of Bosque Farms. 

The workers are preparing priorities and proposals for negotiations.  

“Unionizing means employees no longer have to address workplace issues individually — they can address them together,” Derr said. “Now we turn our attention to the bargaining table and the work of negotiating a strong first contract that recognizes the professionalism and essential public service these employees provide.” 

But the workers have encountered resistance from their employer. A complaint the union filed with the state’s Public Employees Labor Relations Board says the Village of Bosque Farms Police Department violated the state’s Public Employees Bargaining Act by retaliating against the officers for organizing and refusing to provide dates for negotiations. 

The Bosque Farms Police Department employees join thousands of AFSCME-represented public workers across New Mexico who have organized to secure a voice at work and improve the public services their communities depend upon. AFSCME New Mexico represents public service workers in state and local government who provide many of the essential services New Mexicans rely upon every day, including public safety, corrections, transportation, sanitation, health and human services. 

Public safety professionals around the country are increasingly turning to AFSCME to build power at work, advocate for safety, secure better wages, improve healthcare benefits, and ensure a stable retirement. AFSCME members in corrections, law enforcement, and emergency response defend our freedoms and those of the communities we serve. 

Visit the AFSCME Public Safety website to get involved and learn more.