NMSU Faculty Union Files Bad Faith Complaint Against Administration

New Mexico State University faculty members gathered outside the administration building, Hadley Hall, on Monday to protest what they describe as a pattern of bad faith negotiations.

Approximately 40 faculty members rallied to demand progress on a contract that has remained unsigned since bargaining began in January of last year.

The rally followed the filing of a formal prohibited practice complaint with the Public Employee Labor Relations Board. The complaint alleges that the university administration has engaged in over 20 instances of violating bargaining rules, according to reporting by Source NM.

The faculty union, represented by NMSU NEA, points to a lack of movement on critical issues including compensation, workload, benefits, and parental leave. Faculty organizers argue that the prolonged timeline—now spanning 662 days—undermines their ability to secure necessary workplace protections.

“This seems like an attempt to weaken our union and our collective power,” Michelle Granger, NMSU NEA bargaining spokesperson and English Department professor, told Source NM. “After 662 days, we ask that management come back to the table with the level of respect and accountability that we, the backbone of NMSU, deserve.”

The complaint includes allegations that the university administration failed to respond to requests for financial information and reduced the number of contract proposals submitted compared to the union. Furthermore, the union alleges that during a bargaining meeting in September, the university general counsel asked, “Do you think that status quo is the lowest we can go?”

The conflict has expanded beyond the faculty union’s primary complaint. Last week, NMSU’s Graduate Workers United filed a separate complaint against the university. That filing alleges that the administration stopped deducting union dues from member paychecks without providing prior notification to the affected employees.

These legal actions arrive as the university maintains its position on the negotiation process. Amanda Wyatt, a spokesperson for the university, stated in an email to Source NM that the administration is aware of the complaint.

Wyatt said that the university “remains committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Public Employee Labor Relations Act and engaging in good-faith collective bargaining.” She added that the university would not comment further on specific allegations while the matter is pending.

The frustration expressed by union leaders reflects a broader tension regarding how labor negotiations are conducted within the state’s public institutions. Jamie Bronstein, a professor in the history department and chief spokesperson for NMSU NEA, expressed confusion over the administration’s current approach given the state’s historical support for organized labor.

“I don’t really understand it because New Mexico is a state that respects organized labor,” Bronstein told Source NM. “The teachers unions are very strong and everybody understands how beneficial unions can be, and so NMSU foot-dragging doesn’t make sense to me in the context of the wider state that we live in.”

For the faculty and staff, the stakes involve the fundamental conditions of their employment. The complaint filed with the state labor board asks for a finding that the university committed prohibited practices and requests an order to prevent further interference with timely negotiations. As the board reviews the allegations, the faculty wait to see if the university will shift its approach at the bargaining table.

“Faculty deserve a fair and timely process that respects our rights to bargain,” Granger told Source NM. “Faculty should not have to wait years for the protections and respect that we deserve.”