Unions protest NM governor's firing of labor board

Labor & Employment

Members of labor unions in New Mexico turned to the state Supreme Court on Wednesday in a dispute with the governor over the Public Employee Labor Relations Board.

Gov. Susana Martinez fired the board's executive director, Pam Gentry, on Feb. 5, then fired the three-member board March 1.

The unions are asking the court to order Martinez to reinstate the board and not to interfere with the board's hiring of an executive director.

The board is responsible for enforcing the Public Employee Bargaining Act in New Mexico.

"We believe that this is a very covert attempt to turn New Mexico into another Wisconsin and we are not going to stand for it," said Christine Trujillo, state president of the New Mexico Federation of Labor AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Teachers in New Mexico.

Last week, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed into law a measure eliminating most union rights for public employees in that state.

The New Mexico unions contend in a petition to the Supreme Court that the Republican governor exceeded her powers.

The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from Martinez. A spokesman for the governor has said her decision was part of a review of state boards and commissions since she took office in January.

Related listings

  • GM hourly workers get $4,000 bonuses

    GM hourly workers get $4,000 bonuses

    Labor & Employment 02/14/2011

    General Motors Co. will pay more than $189 million in profit-sharing to 48,000 U.S. hourly workers and millions more in performance bonuses to salaried employees, according to a person briefed on the matter.The company, less than two years out of ban...

  • Dick's settles with former Neb. worker over pay

    Dick's settles with former Neb. worker over pay

    Labor & Employment 02/03/2011

    Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. has reached a settlement with a former employee over just payment for her work.Court records show U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon dismissed the lawsuit filed by Dannette Stackhouse, citing the settlement. Details were ...

  • Oscar Mayer employees seek pay for equipment time

    Oscar Mayer employees seek pay for equipment time

    Labor & Employment 12/14/2010

    Employees at the Oscar Mayer meat processing plant in Davenport, Iowa have filed a class action lawsuit seeking compensation for time they spend putting on and taking off their safety equipment.The lawsuit claims employees are not paid while they don...

New Rochelle, New York Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP, in New Rochelle, New York, immediately. We can answer all your questions and work with you to determine if you have the grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at our firm are determined to resolve even the most difficult of cases. We will work closely with you to determine the best course of action to get your claim or case resolved in the most efficient way possible. We will fight for your right to compensation! No one should have to suffer a financial burden from the result of another person’s carelessness. The attorneys at Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP will aggressively fight to ensure that justice is served on your behalf.

Business News

New York & New Jersey Family Law Matters We represent our clients in all types of proceedings that include termination of parental rights. >> read