By Kevin Hendricks, Sandoval Signpost
After more than two years of public feuding, the University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center and the United Health Professionals of New Mexico division of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which represents UNM SRMC workers, reached a tentative contract agreement, the union announced Friday.
The medical center and the union were finally able to sit down for “good-faith bargaining” on Sept. 18, more than three years after the union was formed. A deal was reached late Thursday night, less than a month after negotiations began.
According to a press release from the union, the tentative agreement will cover approximately 400 nurses and other health professionals at the medical center.
The release said union officials would not share details of the agreement until it has been discussed with members, who will vote on it Friday and Saturday. The ratification vote will be announced on Sunday.
A representative from UNM Health Sciences said the hospital is also holding off on commenting on the deal until after union members have voted on it. The hospital is expected to publicly comment on the contract by Monday.