© 2024 KRWG
News that Matters.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Union To Martinez: Threat To Stop Collecting Dues Is "Declaration Of War"

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says contract talks with state employee unions are at an impasse because she wants the state to stop collecting union dues through withdrawals from employees' paychecks.  The Albuquerque Journal reports that the Republican governor raised the issue while criticizing teachers unions for opposing her administration's policy initiatives. She spoke Monday to a real estate luncheon in Albuquerque.

Teachers' union dues are withdrawn under contract provisions negotiated at the local level, but Martinez is pressing for an end to dues withdrawals for state employee unions.

According to Martinez, the unions use the dues money to attack her administration.

Spokesman Miles Conway of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees calls Martinez's desire to end dues withdrawals a "declaration of war."

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.