AFSCME Council 18

CYFD Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks: When Accountability is Met With Retaliation Instead of Transparency, Workers and the Public Deserve Answers


On May 11, The Santa Fe New Mexican published a story that follows up on workers’ allegations of retaliation for speaking up about unsafe or unfair workplace conditions. CYFD denies all the allegations, but where there is smoke, there is fire. And the workers’ union, AFSCME, exists to protect employees’ rights, ensure accountability, and give workers a voice without fear of intimidation.

At CYFD, employees who raise concerns about workplace issues, staffing shortages, and safety, and the tools needed to appropriately provide services to the community it serves, deserve to be heard — not punished or threatened with punishment. Speaking to the media about serious workplace concerns is not wrongdoing; it is often an act of advocacy and public accountability.

AFSCME will always fight for fairness, transparency, and protections against retaliation. Protecting workers’ rights ultimately protects the community as a whole.

Union: CYFD retaliated against anonymous workers who spoke in news stories CYFD denied investigating its workers and highlighted initiatives they said have curbed vacancy rates in frontline workers.

Workers’ Memorial Day Highlights 365 Days of Vigilance for Worker Safety


April 28 marked the annual Workers’ Memorial Day—a time to honor those who lost their lives or were injured on the job. This day serves as a solemn reminder that behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a community forever changed.

Today, we reflect and recommit ourselves to the fight for workplace safety. Ensuring a safe environment is a daily responsibility that includes wearing proper gear, following procedures, reporting hazards, and looking out for one another.

Beyond individual actions, we must hold management accountable. We must continue fighting for proper staffing and addressing risks ranging from ergonomic, chemical, and physical hazards to psychosocial factors affecting mental health.

Current employer priorities remain a serious concern. For example:

- CYFD recently required an employee to undergo a fitness-for-duty test simply because their doctor recommended eight hours of sleep.
- NMDOT has suggested that training on equipment like chainsaws is optional.
- NMCD continues to shut down mandatory security posts within the prisons.

The best way to honor those we have lost is by protecting those still here. Let’s make safety a priority every single day, because everyone deserves to go home safe.

Democracy in Action: AFSCME Local 1211 Election Conducted

We are proud to announce that on March 31, the state employee membership of AFSCME Local 1211 in Albuquerque and Torrance counties elected its new Executive Board. This dedicated team is prepared to advocate, organize, and fight for the rights, dignity, and working conditions of our members.

President Collin Smith, a senior Highway Maintainer Worker with the Department of Transportation, was elected by acclamation. A longtime steward, executive board member, and PEOPLE activist, President Smith noted that his experience in organizing and handling grievances has taught him "the importance of listening to workers’ needs and standing up for their rights."

Joining President Smith on the Local 1211 Executive Board are:

- Vice President: Charlie Blea (DOT)
- Recording Secretary: Lena Stoker (HCA)
- Secretary-Treasurer: Keenen Albritton (TRD)
- Executive Board Members: Khallen Korte (DWS), Ralph Terrazas (DOT), and Kayla Scott (HCA)
- Trustees: Monica Garcia (TRD), Ernesto Rodriquez (DOT), and Alonso Cordova (TRD)

Their leadership arrives at a critical time, and we look forward to the energy and commitment they will bring to strengthening our union.

Please join us in congratulating the new board as they begin their terms. Together, AFSCME in New Mexico remains united and committed to lifting up every voice in our workplaces.

Pictured below are members attending the elections meeting and the Executive Board being sworn in.