ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The relationship between UNM Hospital and Health Care Union Members has been rocky at times. A recent court decision came down in favor of the workers regarding the hospital’s lack of communication regarding layoffs in 2023.
“In an organized workplace, when there is a layoff, standard law, whether it be federal law or state law, the employer has to negotiate with the union about the layoffs about when they will happen, whether there’s going to be some sort of pay for the employees who are laid off, which employees are going to be laid off, and I don’t know how to state it more bluntly, but the UNMH just refused to bargain with the union,” says Shane Youtz, attorney for United Health Professionals of New Mexico.
And a district court judge agreed that the hospital breached its duty to union members by withholding information. It’s the latest in a long line of court cases between the hospital and the United Health Professionals of New Mexico (UHPNM).
“We’re the labor movement. We don’t blink at having to fight for five, 10, 15 years. We persevere. That is what we do. We don’t have the power. We don’t have the money. We don’t have the resources, but we have perseverance,” added Youtz.
UNM Hospital did not wish to talk to KRQE about their relationship with the UHPNM, but did send the following statement:
“UNM Hospital respects the recent decision from the District Court regarding a complaint from 2023. Since acquiring UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center in 2024, UNM Hospital has bargained with and entered into collective bargaining agreements with two labor organizations, including most recently UHPNM. UNM Hospital is committed to working with its labor partners to ensure that it fulfills its mandate to the community by providing high-quality patient care. UNM Hospital looks forward to continuing this dialogue with its labor partners.”
UNM Hospital
