Unions protest NM governor's firing of labor board
Labor & Employment
Members of labor unions in New Mexico turned to the state Supreme Court on Wednesday in a dispute with the governor over the Public Employee Labor Relations Board.
Gov. Susana Martinez fired the board's executive director, Pam Gentry, on Feb. 5, then fired the three-member board March 1.
The unions are asking the court to order Martinez to reinstate the board and not to interfere with the board's hiring of an executive director.
The board is responsible for enforcing the Public Employee Bargaining Act in New Mexico.
"We believe that this is a very covert attempt to turn New Mexico into another Wisconsin and we are not going to stand for it," said Christine Trujillo, state president of the New Mexico Federation of Labor AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Teachers in New Mexico.
Last week, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed into law a measure eliminating most union rights for public employees in that state.
The New Mexico unions contend in a petition to the Supreme Court that the Republican governor exceeded her powers.
The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from Martinez. A spokesman for the governor has said her decision was part of a review of state boards and commissions since she took office in January.
Related listings
-
GM hourly workers get $4,000 bonuses
Labor & Employment 02/14/2011General Motors Co. will pay more than $189 million in profit-sharing to 48,000 U.S. hourly workers and millions more in performance bonuses to salaried employees, according to a person briefed on the matter.The company, less than two years out of ban...
-
Dick's settles with former Neb. worker over pay
Labor & Employment 02/03/2011Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. has reached a settlement with a former employee over just payment for her work.Court records show U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon dismissed the lawsuit filed by Dannette Stackhouse, citing the settlement. Details were ...
-
Oscar Mayer employees seek pay for equipment time
Labor & Employment 12/14/2010Employees at the Oscar Mayer meat processing plant in Davenport, Iowa have filed a class action lawsuit seeking compensation for time they spend putting on and taking off their safety equipment.The lawsuit claims employees are not paid while they don...
Illinois Work Injury Lawyers – Krol, Bongiorno & Given, LTD.
Accidents in the workplace are often caused by unsafe work conditions arising from ignoring safety rules, overlooking maintenance or other negligence of those in management. While we are one of the largest firms in Illinois dedicated solely to the representation of injured workers, we pride ourselves on the personal, one-on-one approach we deliver to each client.
Work accidents can cause serious injuries and sometimes permanent damage. Some extremely serious work injuries can permanently hinder a person’s ability to get around and continue their daily duties. Factors that affect one’s quality of life such as place of work, relationships with friends and family, and social standing can all be taken away quickly by a work injury. Although, you may not be able to recover all of your losses, you may be entitled to compensation as a result of your work injury. Krol, Bongiorno & Given, LTD. provides informed advocacy in all kinds of workers’ compensation claims, including:
• Injuries to the back and neck, including severe spinal cord injuries
• Serious head injuries
• Heart problems resulting from workplace activities
• Injuries to the knees, elbows, shoulders and other joints
• Injuries caused by repetitive movements
For Illinois Workers’ Compensation claims, you will ALWAYS cheat yourself if you do not hire an experienced attorney. When you hire Krol, Bongiorno & Given, Ltd, you will have someone to guide you through the process, and when it is time to settle, we will add value to your case IN EXCESS of our fee. In the last few years, employers and insurance carriers have sought to advance the argument that when you settle a case without an attorney, your already low settlement should be further reduced by 20% so that you do not get a “windfall.” Representing yourself in Illinois is a lose-lose proposition.