WC New Mexico News

After Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a hotly-debated bill into law, the debate over House Bill 364 has become even more divisive.

The bill's sponsors say the legislation will protect public workers as it revitalizes New Mexico’s Public Employee Bargaining Act by mandating a timeline for state lawmakers to reorganize and restructure New Mexico's bulky system of  52 local labor boards, which should help labor relations and the ability to form unions with less red tape.

Opponents of HB 364 say that it was passed quickly without time to look at the fine points of the legislation. GOP members of the House say it needs to be given a closer look . They say a provision in the bill would deny access to public information.

A key piece of the bill that roiled several opponents centers around a provision in the legislation that states that public employers must hand over employees’ personal and employment information to labor organizations that have been designated to representing those workers.

“The governor must veto this legislation. After being drafted and passed under cover of night, the light has shone on HB 364 and revealed a dangerous mistake,” said House Republican Leader Jim Townsend. “Transparency and fairness are principles that we can deliver to New Mexicans, let’s start by fixing this erroneous mistake.” 

Townsend wants Grisham to veto HB 364.