Editor,
As President of United Staff-UNM, I would like to take this opportunity to explain our stand and to address several concerns of individuals in our unit.
One wrote, "My paycheck amount has gone down in the past few years instead of increasing because of the increase in all of our benefits and without the increase again this year my paycheck amount will go down again." Another one of these individuals told our lead negotiator, "I hate you people."
Hate "us people" all you want, but to borrow a phrase from our military, simply waiting and hoping is not a course of action.
Some 80 percent of employees in the bargaining unit are paid below their market value, represented as the midpoint of UNM's own salary schedule.
By contrast, 80 percent of those in grades l5 and above are paid in the top half and sometimes beyond their salary scale given their length of service. Could it be this is why the average staff employee covered by US-UNM only stays for 4.8 years?
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This year, UNM offers at most a 3 percent increase on salaries that are hundreds and thousands of dollars below market value. What about next year? Staff salaries at UNM rank l7th out of l7 peer institutions. The salary of our new President will rank fifth out of 17 peer institutions. Why? Because he has what you don't yet have this year - a contract.
Many of "us people" behind US-UNM have worked at UNM for decades. Many of us are graduates of UNM, some with graduate degrees.
Like you, we have lives and obligations outside our jobs, yet some of "us people" have worked for nine years to give staff a voice, and for the last two years have devoted personal time to help colleagues in our bargaining unit, union members and non-members alike, with their work place grievances.
Harry P. Norton
President, United Staff-UNM
During this year's negotiations, we were told by UNM's negotiator that these continuing, egregious salary inequities might be addressed in the next three to five years. If anyone out there still believes that UNM has any intention of addressing the shortfall in staff salaries voluntarily and with good faith, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
US-UNM's step-in-grade proposal, over which we came to impasse, is explained in the information mailed out to the bargaining unit. This system will quickly bring consistency and equity where none had previously existed. Bottom line - without change, the longer you stay at UNM and remain below grade 15, the more your salary will decline in real dollars.
Fortunately, some of us stick around and fight for our rights and for the rights of others. If "you people" in our bargaining unit want something more concrete than empty promises, invest in your future and the future of others - become a card-carrying member of US-UNM. Indifference doesn't make a difference.
Harry P. Norton
US-UNM President
