District 1199NM
District 1199NM
National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees
 

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Frequently Asked Questions
Dec 01, 2023

                                 Frequently Asked Questions   

Who is District 1199NM?

  • District 1199NM, The National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, represents all levels of health care employees. We are nurses and pharmacists, radiologists, housekeepers, respiratory therapists, clerical employees, maintenance employees, social workers, and dietary aides. We represent a large number of licensed, technical, and support staff employees across New Mexico.

What is a union?
  • Labor Unions are made up of working people working together to solve problems, build stronger workplaces and give working families a real voice. Unions give workers a voice on the job about safety, security, pay, benefits—and about the best ways to get the work done. Union workers earn 30 percent more each week than non-union workers and are much more likely to have health and pension benefits. Unions give working people a voice in government. They represent working families before lawmakers and ensure politicians are aware that working families voted them into office.

Who runs 1199NM?
  • You and your co-workers ARE the Union. You elect your own representatives and officers as well as delegates and you decide what you want your Union to do by a democratic process.  

How does District 1199NM work for me?
  • More important question: How do I support District 1199NM? You are your Union and through the strength of rank and file members, 1199NM looks out for members in many ways; the first and foremost goal is to empower health care employees by making their workplaces more democratic.

  • 1199NM helps negotiate for better wages and benefits through a legally binding Union contract and also represents you when you encounter problems on the job.

  • The Union can be your best job protection, and remember the union is stronger with greater membership.

Why join District 1199NM?
  • By joining together, you and your co-workers have the collective strength to make sure you get decent contracts and fair treatment on the job. Joining the union gives you a voice at work involving issues such as scheduling, working conditions, safety issues, patient care, and whatever issues concern you the most. Remember, our strength comes from you, our members. Joining gives you the right to vote for improvements in your contracts and wages.

How can I join District 1199NM?
  • Please visit our Join The Union tab to locate the digital Union Membership Card. Complete the information and select "submit."

  • Contact us if you have any questions or concerns by calling the Albuquerque office at 505.884.7713 or the Santa Fe Office at 505.780.8272. 

How much are dues?
  • Dues are 2% of your base pay. Union dues are calculated on base pay and according to the employee’s FTE status. The members of District 1199NM vote on the dues structure. In fact, for the last few years, the national dues have increased and the Executive Board has voted to maintain the dues without increases. The maximum amount any member will pay is $37.50 dollars per payday; minimum dues are $10 bi-weekly.

What do my dues pay for?
  • Dues pay for the functioning of the union, including maintaining your contract, legal counsel, contract negotiations, publications and newsletters, grievances, salaries for union staff and organizers, office space, supplies, equipment, and more.  

How can I get involved?
  • There are many ways to become active in your Union and many different levels of involvement. Some great ways to get started are attending Union meetings, volunteering your time on special projects and campaigns, or introducing new employees to the Union.

  • One of the best ways to get involved is to become a delegate in your department. Call the Albuquerque office (505) 884-7713 or the Santa Fe Office at (505) 780-8272, when you are interested in becoming more involved in your Union.

  • REMEMBER: YOU ARE THE UNION! 

Do I have to pay union dues?
  • Being a union member is critically important. YOUR union is a member-driven organization. Your support and membership provide the opportunity to vote on important improvements in the contract. YOU have a voice in what governs your working conditions. Everyone benefits with greater membership.

  • There is great strength in numbers. Each member adds solidarity and power and provides a stronger voice for positive change.

  • Not joining the union is not a benign act. The members shoulder the financial burden of maintaining those benefits - your co-workers are "carrying you". That's not really fair, is it? You would not expect you could go pick up groceries or services from your community without paying for those services or goods. If you are not a part of the solution, you ARE part of the problem and employees who don't pay dues hinder progress.

What is Collective Bargaining?
  • Collective Bargaining is the right of employees to be represented in negotiating the terms and conditions of their employment. Without a collective bargaining agreement in a non-unionized place of employment, employees have little or no employee input regarding their working conditions or wages.

  • Collective Bargaining gives employees one united voice. It requires that management meet with the employees and negotiate "in good faith." This means there is a genuine effort to reach an agreement. Once a contract is negotiated, there are enforcement procedures that allow employees to assure that the agreement is honored.   

What does AFSCME stand for?
  • AFSCME is the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. AFSCME represents public employees at all levels of government, and with 1.7 members they continue to be one of the fastest-growing Unions in the country. AFSCME not only fights for fairness and justice in the workplace but also at the ballot box and the halls of government.

  • In 1989 NUHHCE joined forces with AFSCME to increase political power and commitment to organizing. 

What is the AFL-CIO?
  • The AFL-CIO is the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations, and is a coalition of 56 major labor unions that exist to support the work of the labor movement.  The AFL-CIO’s mission is to bring social and economic justice to our nation by enabling working people to have a voice on the job.

  • In October 1984, the National Union received a direct charter from the AFL-CIO and became the only health care Union with such a charter.

What is the NLRB?
  • The NLRB stands for the National Labor Relations Board, which is an independent federal agency that administers the National Labor Relations Act. This law governs relations between unions and employers in the private sector. This statute guarantees the right of employees to organize and to bargain collectively with their employers and to engage in other protected activity with or without a union, or to refrain from such activity.


New Mexico Hospital Workers Union
6201 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 201
Albuquerque, NM 87110
  505.884.7713

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