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NEW MEXICO

accomplishments

2023

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MINIMUM SALARIES FOR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS

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Our Union fought for and WON a new Statewide $25,000 minimum for
Educational Assistant salaries, which had not been increased since the
early 2000s.


House Bill 127 increases the statutory minimum salary for educational
assistants from $12,000 to $25,000. Some beginning EAs/IAs will see an
increase of nearly $8,000 based on this new law.

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HIGHER WAGES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION WORKERS

Our Union fought for and WON a 6% raise for all educational employees
and ensured funding to continue $15/hour minimum wage for hourly
employees working in public education.


Funding for raises for educational employees (K-12 through Higher Ed) grew
to 6% after a 4% raise was initially proposed. We also protected the
$15 minimum wage we won last year for educational workers.

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PROTECTIONS FOR RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Our Union fought to ENSURE that an additional 1% was included in the
budget for our ERB retirement, with no additional costs for employees.


House Bill 2 includes funding to help our pension fund reach fully-funded
status on a faster timetable, ensuring that your earned retirement benefits
are safe and protected.

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IMPROVED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

Our Union fought for and WON a Statewide increase in health insurance
coverage for our lowest-paid educational workers.


HB 533 also removes the insurance coverage cap of 80%, meaning districts can now provide up to 100% coverage, based on local bargaining.

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EXPANSION OF TEACHER PREPARATION
AFFORDABILITY ACT

Our Union fought for and WON changes for National Board Certified
educators and WON an expansion of Teacher Preparation Affordability Act.


House Bill 181 expands the NBCT differential eligibility to certified school
counselors and administrators who maintain their NBCT certificate. Senate Bill 307 expanded loan eligibility to educators seeking to advance from Level II to Level III by providing relief for costs associated with earning a Master's degree.

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