FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Dyrcz
June 12, 2025 505-554-8679

Albuquerque – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Whitney Holland and American Federation of Teachers New Mexico Executive Vice President Ernesto Longa released the following statements:

“I am deeply honored to be re-elected by the members and leaders of our union. This role has been both challenging and rewarding and spending the last few days with fellow union educators has recharged my passion for this work.

I believe in the power of educators coming together to shape our schools, our profession, and our future. We’ve faced real challenges and met them with strength, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to what our students, colleagues, and communities deserve.

Our union is strongest when every member’s voice is heard and valued. I intend to keep that value as my north star as I embark on another term. Together, we can keep growing our membership, strengthening our contracts, and building a union that fights hard, listens deeply, and leads with heart,” said Holland.

“As President of United Academics of the University of New Mexico, I quickly learned the essential role played by the American Federation of Teachers New Mexico in sustaining and growing my local union through the provision of leadership development programs, steward and organizer trainings, technical and staff support, and legal and political advocacy.

As the newly elected Executive Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers New Mexico, I pledge to work to refine and improve these critical services to our local unions and to tirelessly advocate for all New Mexico educational workers’ right to organize and form unions, receive fair wages and benefits, and be treated with dignity and respect in a safe and inclusive work environment,” said Longa.

Other statewide union officers who were elected during the convention were Nicole Keeney (Secretary; Socorro School Employees Association, Local #3878), Darren Griego (Treasurer; Peñasco Federation of United School Employees, Local #4285), Trey Pereyra (COPE VP; Los Alamos Federation of School Employees, Local #3902), Rachael Sonia (K12 Certified VP; Albuquerque Teachers Federation, Local #1420), Satya Witt (Higher Education VP; United Academics of UNM, Local #6662), Kathy Chavez (PSRP VP; Albuquerque Federation of Classified Professionals, Local #4129), and Secilli Keeler (Early Education VP; Los Alamos Federation of School Employees, Local #3902).

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AFT New Mexico held their 61st Convention on June 12 at Sandia Pueblo. The Convention was attended by nearly 100 statewide delegates and alternates elected by their respective locals, representing all of AFT NM’s educational constituencies. In addition to convention business, AFT NM recognized various individual local unions for membership growth and outstanding leadership on behalf of their membership.