Around 200 graduate workers stopped traffic and rerouted shuttles while picketing at the intersection of Yale Boulevard and Las Lomas Road on Friday, Oct. 3.
The picket was organized by United Graduate Workers of the University of New Mexico in conjunction with their final bargaining session that ended with graduate workers earning a 6% raise; one percentage point higher than their previous bargaining negotiation. The union also won an article that protects international workers from disclosing their immigration status information.
Noah Mertz, a graduate worker and member of UGW, said that the Union’s actions have worked in creating change with University administration.
During the session, the Union made agreements with University admin to renegotiate healthcare benefits in Spring 2027.
The picket started at 11 a.m and lasted till around 1:45 p.m, when the group marched into UNM Dane Smith Hall where the last day of bargaining took place.
Picketers chanted “one union, many nations, end the boss’ exploitation,” “hey hey, ho ho, we’re here to let the admins know,” and “we demand a living wage,” among other phrases.
“What we’re hoping for is that this will be our last action because today we’re meeting with the administration to continue bargaining with them over our collective bargaining agreement, and we’re hoping that they will give us these things and we can all go back to work,” Mertz said.
Mertz said the University has agreed to include an article that will defend international graduate workers by not collaborating with federal authorities like Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and sharing students’ immigration status information.
“We’re glad that the University administration is working with us on that and that they recognize it’s important as well,” Mertz said.
The picket gained attention from some undergraduate students who were walking by and stopped to watch. Some also joined the picket, carrying provided signs.
UNM senior Natalia Flores said as she got off the bus, she happened to see the picket and wanted to “stand witness” and show support.
“I think it’s really important and necessary, especially considering how much us undergrads rely on grad workers because they’re our (teachers assistants). Sometimes we see them more than actual instructors,” Flores said.
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UNM Police arrived around 11:15 a.m. when picketers blocked all four entryways of the intersection, occasionally letting cars through that were leaving campus. A LoboAlert about police activity and vehicle traffic closure was sent out at 11:20 a.m.
UNM faculty from United Academics of UNM also showed up to support the picket, including UA-UNM President Ernesto Longa, who picketed and spoke to students.
“We’re here with you, we stand with you, and we’re paying attention to what’s happening in contract negotiations,” Longa said.
Beth Ratay, a UNM faculty member in the music department, picketed along with other faculty.
“Almost every professor that I know, that’s one of their favorite things is working with their graduate students and that promise of the next generation of university teachers,” Rattay said.
June Stenzel, a recent PhD graduate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, spoke during the picket and said the MIT Graduate Student Union had just won vision and dental benefits in their last contract, a goal UGW-UNM shares.
“I know you’ll be able to win it too, those are things that every worker deserves,” Stenzel said.
UNM graduate student Mark Campbell said that during the UGW work-in on Sept. 10, UNM increased their offer from a 4.5% raise to a 5% raise for graduate students.
“We’re hoping that by demonstrating union power they realize we are the ones that make this University run. We’re the ones doing the research. We’re the ones doing the teaching. There is no University without graduate workers,” Campbell said.
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @paloma_chapa88
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88
