United Health Professionals of NM Ratify Contract with UNM SRMC

Contract Ratified for Healthcare Workers at UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center

RIO RANCHO, N.M.—The United Health Professionals of New Mexico (UHPNM) have successfully ratified a new contract with the University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center (UNM SRMC). This significant development is expected to enhance both patient care and the working environment at the facility, according to an announcement from the union.

“It’s been a long process to get a first contract. We know there is still more work needed for our patients, community and ourselves, and we are looking forward to doing more,” expressed Samantha Hines, a registered nurse at UNM SRMC.

The newly ratified contract includes several key provisions. These include the establishment of a labor-management committee dedicated to examining safe staffing ratios and other strategies to improve conditions for patients and staff alike. Additionally, the contract provides for a wage increase, job protections, and prevents the hospital from making unilateral changes to working conditions and benefits without engaging in negotiations with the union.

The union represents a diverse group of healthcare professionals, including nurses who are employed at UNM SRMC.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the parent organization of UHPNM, remarked, “This contract represents basic respect for hospital professionals who work tirelessly for their patients. It shouldn’t have been so hard to get to this place, and the workers’ tenacity and the public’s support for their current or future caregivers moved the needle and resulted in this contract. We need hospitals to work collaboratively with their front-line workers and respect their input. When that happens, workers and patients are better off.”

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The AFT advocates for 1.8 million professionals, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, school-related staff, higher education faculty, government employees, nurses, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.