FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Dyrcz
June 26, 2024 505-554-8679

Belen – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Whitney Holland, and Belen Federation of School Employees (BFSE) #4295 President, Barbara Garcia, released the following statements:

“For over a year, the Belen Consolidated Schools delayed complying with and implementing the decision of the independent arbitrator who ruled in favor of BFSE’s last, best, and final offer during the 2023 bargaining of their employee contract. We are grateful that following an additional order from New Mexico’s 13th Judicial District in May of this year, the Belen Consolidate Schools finally disbursed earned wages to their employees.

“While these employees have now been made whole, it is extremely disappointing that the District willfully chose to ignore the ruling of the arbitrator and withhold earned wages from classified District employees, with some owed several thousand dollars. Educators in Belen deserve better than the current leadership of the District and we will continue to be vigilant on behalf of educators in Belen,” said Holland.

“BSFE is a union among all classified employees. With continued unity, we will fight for employee rights and wages for a bright future. I am honored to serve as BFSE President, and together with my officers, we have fought and triumphed by having our voices heard,” said Garcia.