170 Santa Fe County Corrections Employees Get CWA

On Nov. 14, Santa Fe County Corrections employees voted 32-2 to be represented by CWA. There are 170 workers in the bargaining unit according to Local 7911 Organizer Rex Kendall, who assisted the workers, but most of the workers were not able to vote in the election because they are on "probation." This was one of the issues that led the workers to form a union. In fact, the vast majority of the employees have worked in the system for several years, much longer than a typical probation period. however, when the county took over the former privately-run correction system it forced all of the workers back on probation. The 34 voters became county employees a bit earlier than the rest, so they were able to vote. When the remaining workers clear their probation they will be eligible for union representation.