The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) recently cited an Albuquerque-based concrete masonry manufacturer for multiple serious workplace safety violations that exposed employees to potential injury or worse. According to state records, Utility Block Company Inc. was fined a total of $41,384 for the violations by NMED’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB). In December 2024, […]
Jobs, Workers & Economy
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Tijeras company faces fines after shrapnel exposure incident
An engineering and manufacturing company based in Tijeras is facing more than $12,000 in state fines after a workplace safety inspection uncovered multiple safety violations that exposed workers to flying shrapnel and put them in danger of being caught in moving machine parts. According to records from the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Occupational Health […]
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Cheese plant gas leak hospitalizes 14 workers
A major chemical accident at a local cheese plant that led to the hospitalization of more than a dozen workers has landed a local company in hot water with the state. Last month, the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB) cited Southwest Cheese Company for five serious violations following a […]
Posted inNew Mexico
New Mexico grocery workers win wage increases, better benefits in new contracts
Union officials announced Friday that grocery workers across New Mexico have ratified new four-year contracts with Albertsons and Smith’s Food and Drug Stores, securing wage increases and stronger benefits. The agreements, approved by members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1564, cover approximately 3,700 workers statewide — 2,500 at Smith’s stores and 1,200 at […]
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Dental office fined for vaccine refusal documentation, training lapse
A Sunland dental practice was recently penalized by the state after inspectors found that employee training on bloodborne pathogens wasn’t up-to-date, and the company failed to document that an employee had declined a vaccine. According to state records, some Sunland Dental employees failed to complete the state-required annual bloodborne pathogen training. The training is done […]
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Las Cruces firm accused of defrauding veterans
A lawsuit against a Las Cruces-based company for deceptive practices and illegal business operations is gaining steam as state prosecutors look for more victims. In April, the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) and Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit in Las Cruces against Disabled Veterans Consultants, Inc. (DVC) for unlawfully charging veterans for […]
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Nursing home sued for age discrimination
A federal civil rights agency recently filed a lawsuit against an Albuquerque-based local nursing facility, alleging that it discriminated against older workers, subjected them to harassment and then retaliated against employees after they raised concerns. The lawsuit, filed in June by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against South Valley Care Center, claims that […]
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Green chile worker ‘caught’ in machine
A worker injury at one of the state’s largest green chile producers highlights the life-threatening consequences that can occur when companies ignore safety regulations. Young Guns Chile Co. was recently cited by the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB) for failing to follow safety regulations, resulting in a serious injury […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Jobs, Workers & Economy
West Side Starbucks workers vote to unionize
Starbucks employees at a West Side Albuquerque location voted to unionize, becoming the second store in New Mexico to do so. The vote, held this week at the Coors Bypass and Seven Bar Loop store, was unanimous. This move positions the store as the 600th Starbucks in the nation to join Starbucks Workers United since […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Jobs, Workers & Economy
Fun is open, business is not
With the arrival of Memorial Day comes a slowdown in public services, as many agencies give their employees the day off, with some exceptions. The City of Albuquerque will have all essential services operational, as well as some recreation and entertainment venues. Monday is opening day for city-owned outdoor swimming pools, and indoor pools will […]