Las Cruces – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Whitney Holland, Las Cruces Transportation Federation (LCTF) #6341 President Dean Abrams, and Classified School Employees Council-Las Cruces (CSEC-LC) #4994 President Irma Valdespino released the following statements:

“Today’s one-day unfair labor practice strike was avoidable, but due to the continued failure of STS-NM to meet our demands surrounding student safety, worker dignity, and fair treatment of employees, the Las Cruces Transportation Federation regrettably was forced to take this drastic action.

“Transportation professionals who serve the students and families of the Las Cruces Public Schools are employed by contractor STS-NM, and because of the contractor’s refusal to address the severe and persistent concerns surrounding the safety of buses and equipment have caused this disruption to our students’ education,” said Abrams.

“CSEC-LC stands in solidarity with our LCTF union brothers and sisters. As educators, we all have a responsibility to demand safe learning environments for all students, not just in the classroom, but at every level of our district, which includes safe buses and transportation. In addition to increased safety measures, a living wage that is just and dignified values and recognizes not only their experience, but their dedication and commitment to the children and families in the Las Cruces Public Schools,” said Valdespino.

“We are thankful to the widespread support our community has shown the drivers and attendants throughout this time as we have educated our Las Cruces community through informational pickets, flyering of school sites, and news coverage of the on-going contract negotiations.

“New Mexico students deserve better than what STS-NM is providing, and LCTF #6341 will continue to use their voices and actions to bring attention to these concerns until fair solutions are reached for all involved,” said Holland.