NMSU regents approve union deal

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.lcsun-news.com/news/ci_5823319

NMSU regents approve union deal
By Bryan Kirk Sun-News reporter
Article Launched: 05/05/2007 01:00:00 AM MDT

LAS CRUCES — The last chapter in the negotiation phase between New Mexico State University and the American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees closed Friday morning with regents voting unanimously to support a three-year collective bargaining agreement.

"We worked for this for a long time," said Charles Harster, a records specialist in the registrar's office.

Harster was among a handful of supporters who gathered Thursday night at the Moose Lodge in downtown Las Cruces to witness the ballot count. The regents' approval came on the heels of a landslide vote of 492-15 by NMSU's non-exempt employees.

"We believe in a vision for better jobs, a secure future and an better NMSU through our union," said Barbara Arispe, records technician with NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service. "We believe we are reaching toward that goal today, taking another step that serves not just university workers, but the entire community we touch and are a part of."

According to university officials, the agreement, which runs through 2010, includes a 5 percent across-the-board pay increase for employees making under $30,000 and increased university contributions for health insurance. For those earning less than $26,250,

Just a reminder, I'm an AFSCME member.