UNM Hospital workers picket for raises

University of New Mexico Hospital workers who want raises picketed the hospital on Thursday in an attempt to get the administration’s attention. 

Union director Bill Browne says Members of the local chapter of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, which represents about 4,000 employees, have asked UNMH to give them a 2.7 percent raise this year and for the two years after that.  The union represents most hospital employees, with the exception of physicians.

 About 30 employees stood on the north side of Lomas in front of the hospital Thursday morning in what Browne called an informational picket. Browne says the union does not have plans to walk out or go on strike. But workers do want hospital administrators to take note of their discontent. 

UNM Health Sciences Center spokesman Billy Sparks said the hospital is hopeful it will come to an agreement with the union. Browne said employees last year got a 2.5 percent raise, but that raises have not been on par with inflation.

UNM Hospital workers picket for raises