AFSCME Council 18

New Mexico's Workforce is Stretched Too Thin; The Public Will Suffer

Across state government—from corrections officers and public defenders to transportation workers, child welfare staff, healthcare professionals, and countless other public servants—critical vacancies are making it harder to provide the services New Mexicans depend on every day.

These workers perform essential duties that keep our communities safe, support vulnerable families, maintain our infrastructure, and uphold justice. Yet too many departments are struggling with chronic staff shortages, high turnover, and workloads that are simply unsustainable.

This is not just a workforce issue—it is a public service issue that affects every New Mexican.

We must stand together: union members, community advocates, service providers, clients, families, and concerned citizens. We need to speak with one voice and call on the New Mexico Legislature and the Governor to invest in the people who make state government work.

New Mexico needs increased funding to hire, train, and retain the dedicated public employees who serve our communities every day.

Strong public services require a strong public workforce. The time to act is now.

New Mexico public defenders, experts warn lawmakers of extreme caseloads, understaffing • Source New Mexico Public defenders and experts warned New Mexico lawmakers that understaffing and caseloads could threaten defendants' access to attorneys.

MDC Officers Deserve Better: County Leaders Must Act Now

Testimony presented at the May 9 Bernalillo County Commission meeting highlighted three critical issues regarding the current conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC).

First, AFSCME Local 2499, Corrections’ Officers Union at MDC are deeply committed to their work despite facing dangerous conditions and a significant lack of support. These professionals have consistently proposed safety and staffing initiatives to address deficiencies where current leadership has failed.

Second, there is a clear lack of meaningful leadership from County Manager Cindy Chavez and Warden Kai Smith. Ignoring officer concerns or dismissing constructive feedback as "mouthy" is negligent. The County Manager’s blind loyalty of Warden Smith’s ineffective policies and inexperience in labor management relations is exacerbating the crisis.

Third, the Bernalillo County Commission must prioritize this escalating problem immediately. It is vital that they listen to the officers working inside the facility, recognize the gravity of the situation, and take immediate action to replace Warden Smith with competent leadership capable of addressing the ongoing staffing shortages and safety crisis at MDC.

We also call on the BCC to stress to County Manager Chavez to take seriously the life-and-death concerns being raised by the officers who work inside the facility every day. The voices of those on the front lines must be heard, respected, and acted upon before conditions worsen.

The men and women of AFSCME Local 2499 Corrections Officers’ Union deserve safe working conditions and effective leadership. Every day, they work in high-stress environments, managing safety, security, and human crises while facing risks that most people never see. The pressures of the job do not end when their shift is over—many officers carry the emotional and mental weight of their experiences home, affecting their personal lives and families. Despite these challenges, they continue to serve with professionalism, dedication, and resilience. They do not deserve to have their issues ignored.

MDC employees pack BernCo Commission meeting demanding warden's removal County manager said she has no plans to remove jail chief, union says it will keep pushing

AFSCME New Mexico …. Our new logo, the same fighting Green Machine!

Building Bargaining Power: AFSCME New Mexico Members Train for the Negotiating Table

Several dozen state, city and county AFSCME members from across New Mexico graduated today from an intense two-day Contract Negotiations Training, at the AFSCME Council 18 Lujan Union Hall, in Albuquerque.

The hands-on training is part of the AFSCME Council 18 ELITE (Empowerment through Leadership, Involvement, Teamwork and Education) membership training curriculum and was taught by experienced staff from AFSCME International’s Political, Education and Research & Collective Bargaining departments — Dorian Lockett, Abigail Doupnik and Jane Billinger.

During the training, members learned skills needed to effectively represent their coworkers at the bargaining table, to advocate for better wages and benefits, and protect workplace rights. The members practiced effective communication skills to engage the bargaining unit members during the entire negotiations process, before even reaching the bargaining table and well through the ratification of an agreement.

It is essential to remember that strong contracts don't happen by accident—they are won through preparation, strategy, and member involvement. By training more members in the bargaining process, AFSCME builds a strong and more informed union that stands together and fights for the issues that matter most.

When members are engaged and educated, our collective voice becomes even more powerful. Thank you to everyone who dedicate their time to strengthening our great union and helping build a better future for all AFSCME members in New Mexico!

Corrections Officers Vote No Confidence in MDC Warden Over Safety Crisis

On May 15, the Metropolitan Detention Center Officers’ Union, AFSCME Local 2499, took a unanimous vote of No Confidence against MDC Warden Kai Smith.

AFSCME Local 2499 has repeatedly raised the alarm regarding the unsafe environment at MDC through labor-management meetings, requested sit-downs with Warden Smith, grievances, and labor board charges. Despite these efforts, the situation has worsened; more than half a dozen officers and inmates were assaulted in just under three weeks.

Warden Smith has consistently failed to take the necessary actions to protect those within the facility. This lack of response demonstrates a significant absence of leadership and accountability, leaving officers to work in dangerous conditions due to chronic understaffing and policies that undermine safety.

Enough is enough!!

On June 9, AFSCME Local 2499 correctional officers will join public safety partners, inmate advocates, and community members to present these concerns to the Bernalillo County Commission (BCC).

Show up in support of the officers and those housed in the facility and demand accountability, improved safety protocols, and the immediate resolution of staffing shortages at the MDC.

Much of MDC tactical team resigns following officer assaults Union president says dozens of officers sign no-confidence vote in Warden Kai Smith

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.

Stronger Voices, Safer Facilities: Why Unionized Corrections Officers Matter in New Mexico

While we recognize and show our profound respect for corrections officers during this appreciation week, it is essential that we support those who do this work 365 days a year and understand why their role matters.

Corrections officers perform one of the toughest jobs in our communities, maintaining safety, order, and dignity inside our facilities every day. In New Mexico, unionized officers represented by AFSCME in the state prison system and county jails play a critical role in protecting public safety while advocating for fair wages, proper staffing levels, and safer working conditions.

Strong unions ensure that officers have a voice. This advocacy promotes accountability, better training, and policies that benefit both staff and the individuals in their care. When corrections officers are supported, facilities operate more safely and effectively, which impacts all of us.

Supporting union representation is about more than workers' rights; it is about building a more stable, humane, and secure corrections system for New Mexico.