Dear UA-UNM Colleagues,
Healthcare Premiums Increasing 13.1% Beginning July 1, 2026
As you probably know, UNM administration is increasing our insurance premiums by 13.1% beginning July 1, 2026. How much this affects you depends on your salary level and level of insurance coverage, but this is part of a pattern of substantial annual increases. Obviously, this means the 1% salary increase approved by the State of New Mexico for UNM faculty will only decrease this extra cost by a small amount. Using data provided by the administration, we calculated that of UA-UNM Unit 1 members who pay for benefits through UNM, 39% will take home less money in the coming academic year than they did this year, assuming a 1% compensation increase.
What is UA-UNM doing about this? First, annual compensation bargaining will start soon, and we hope to address some of these rising costs through this process. However, it is unlikely that UNM administration will voluntarily cover these increased insurance costs for those it impacts most – those with family insurance plans and those with spouses at UNM. Thus, it is critical for us to consider more expansive actions as well. On Saturday, April 18, union leaders from most New Mexico higher ed institutions came together at our first ever Higher Education Labor United New Mexico (HELU-NM) Summit to discuss potential revenue streams and strategies for lobbying at the Round House for our common interests. At the top of the list for almost all parties present was working to get the same 80/20% healthcare split that K-12 teachers received this year, and which other New Mexico public employees already have.
International Faculty Support
Many of our international colleagues are facing serious uncertainty about being able to continue their positions if their visas are not renewed. UNM admin offers limited legal consultation from the law firm of Vrapi Weeks for all faculty. We understand that the complexities of many legal concerns can go beyond the 15 minutes of free legal consultation provided. UA-UNM established a legal fund specifically to support International Faculty in 2025, and anyone can apply for these funds here. While each case is unique, we hope UNM Admin will support federal lawsuits that address these specific concerns, some of which you can read about here.
UA-UNM Officer Elections
Reminder that we have spring elections for the Fall 2026-Spring 2028 union officers coming up in May! If you would like to run for office or nominate a colleague, you can complete the nomination form here or complete the attached nomination form and return it to elections@uaunm.org by April 21. The election will be held online, via OpaVote. Dues paying members will receive a personalized ballot via email from OpaVote. If you’re not a dues-paying member, join the union to participate.
International Workers’ Day
May Day is almost upon us! UA-UNM is co-sponsoring the Albuquerque May Day Strong event as part of a nationwide day of action. Workers, students, and families will rally and march to demand a nation that puts workers over billionaires, refusing business as usual. The event will be on Friday, May 1 at Civic Plaza from 3-7pm with a march at 5pm. We will be marching together! Meet us at the corner of 3rd and Tijeras with your union gear and signs – RSVP here.
You can also sign the petition to New Mexico Leaders urging them to recognize May Day by using their authority to close offices and grant public employees the day off so that workers may take part in May Day observances here.
Keep reading below for a list of upcoming UA-UNM events.
In Solidarity,
United Academics of UNM
Upcoming Events
Thursday, April 23, 9:00-10:00am – Communications Committee Meeting – all campuses on Zoom
Join us to help share information with our members through weekly email updates, social media, our website, and union events.
Email info@uaunm.org for the Zoom link and password.
Friday, April 24, 12:00-12:45pm – Stewards Council – all campuses on Zoom
Help strengthen our union by encouraging more of our colleagues to get involved in organizing.
Email organizing@uaunm.org for the Zoom link and password.
Saturday, April 25, 1:00-4:00pm – Know Your Contract, Enforce Your Power Organizing Academy
AFT NM office (530 Jefferson St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108)
Sign up to attend here.
Friday, May 1, 4:00-7:00pm – International Workers Day (4:00pm rally and 5:00pm march)
Civic Plaza, Albuquerque, NM, UA-UNM meets at Tijeras and 3rd.
RSVP here.
Union Quote of the Week
“The labor that we disrespect is often the labor that we depend on the most.”
— unknown
