Dear UA-UNM Colleagues,
Bargaining mediation ended last week after the Administration’s team refused to make meaningful movement toward resolving two outstanding articles for Unit 1, Reduction in Force and Union Rights. The Administration’s refusal to find common ground is the reason negotiations have stalled. If neither party can present a final offer that is acceptable to both parties, then these remaining articles will go to a panel of arbitration for a decision. To learn more about the details and process, come to the Spring General Membership Meeting on Thursday, March 5 at 5:00 pm – only about a week away! The meeting will be hybrid, with childcare and dinner provided in person. RSVP here. Happy hour will follow at High & Dry! Event times and addresses are listed at the end of this email.
Unit 2 faculty who are UA-UNM dues-paying members – make sure to check your email for a ballot from OpaVote and an email from UA-UNM with a voting guide detailing contract highlights to vote on your contract. Voting closes on Friday, February 27 at 11:59 pm! If you didn’t receive your ballot, contact organizing@uaunm.org.
With the uncertainties in our contract and our world, it is more important than ever to participate in your union! There are so many ways to do this. The first is to make sure you’re a dues-paying member of UA-UNM, which you can do here! As we saw just this week, our 1% raise would have been left out of the NM state budget for next year if it weren’t for the power and action of our union in solidarity with the other public employee unions in the state. If you are interested in getting more involved, you can learn about becoming a steward for your department or area by emailing organizing@uaunm.org.
Another opportunity is to help us build the power we need to protect academic freedom at UNM! The Academic Freedom working group has its next meeting on Wednesday, February 25 from 12–1 pm on Zoom. The working group has published an open letter and a petition to UNM admin with concrete proposals for how to protect academic freedom. We are developing resources to help faculty navigate university academic freedom grievance processes. If you are interested in joining this working group, please fill out this interest form.
Keep reading below for a list of upcoming UA-UNM events.
In Solidarity,
United Academics of UNM
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, February 25, 12:00–1:00 pm – Academic Freedom Interest Group Meeting – all campuses on Zoom
Join us to help build the power we need to protect academic freedom at UNM.
https://unm.zoom.us/j/7956652445
Thursday, February 26, 10:00–11:00 pm – 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, February 27, 12:00–12:45 pm – Organizing Committee – all campuses on Zoom
Help strengthen our union by encouraging more of your colleagues to get involved.
Email organizing@uaunm.org for the Zoom link and password.
Thursday, March 5, 5:00–7:00 pm – Spring 2026 General Membership Meeting
AFT New Mexico Office (530 Jefferson St NE, 87108)
Mark your calendars for our next General Membership Meeting! This meeting will be hybrid, with childcare and dinner provided in person. RSVP here.
Thursday, March 5, 7:00–8:00 pm – UA-UNM Happy Hour
High & Dry (529 Adams St NE, 87108)
Walk around the corner to spend some time with your union siblings after the general membership meeting.
Union Quote of the Week
“We recognize the challenges of balancing the [NM] state budget, but those challenges should not be resolved on the backs of the workforce that delivers essential services to the public every day.”
- Joint statement issued by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 18; National Education Association; American Federation of Teachers; and Communications Workers Local 7076 (2/13/26 article, Source New Mexico)
