County OKs labor union contracts

Agreements provide raises for firefighters, blue-collar workers

The Bernalillo County Commission on Tuesday approved labor contracts with county firefighters and blue-collar workers.

The two-year agreement with the Bernalillo County chapter of Albuquerque Area Firefighters Local 244 includes pay increases of 3 percent in fiscal 2019 and 3 percent in fiscal 2020.

Also included in the agreement is a one-time payout of $1,000 to every union member.

“I believe this is the fourth contract that we’ve negotiated as a team,” Bernalillo County Fire Chief Greg Perez told commissioners. “We continue to do good work and be mindful of the county and where we are budgetarily.”

The commission approved the contract 4-0, with Commissioner Debbie O’Malley not present for the vote.

Commissioners also approved a contract with the Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees, the union representing the county’s blue-collar employees. The commission approved the contract 4-0. Under the new agreement, union-represented employees will receive a $1 to $4 base rate increase and an additional 4 percent raise, based on the new pay rate, effective with the first pay period in July.

All blue-collar bargaining unit employees receiving a salary adjustment to the base wage will receive a one-time payout of $1,500, and nonsalary adjustment members will receive a $2,000 one-time payout.

“I appreciate the hard work of our blue collar employees represented by AFSCME 18, Local 1461 Blue Collar union, it’s a well-deserved increase,” Bernalillo County Manager Julie Morgas Baca said in a statement. “Like other employees, the blue collar workers stood with the county as we grappled with financial issues in the past years and the county is doing its best to make sure all employees are adequately compensated.”

The agreement also allows for longevity pay, academic incentive pay and commercial driver’s license hazardous materials endorsement pay.