Councilors Garduño and O'Malley Sponsor Labor Amendement

Last night, an ordinance that amends the impasse procedure of the City's Labor-Management relations. The bill, co-sponsored by Councilor Rey Garduño and Councilor Debbie O'Malley, allows for binding arbritaration when impasse is declared. Under the current ordinance, binding arbritration could only occur if both parties voluntarily agree to enter it, now only one party can volunteer for binding arbritaraiton and both would have to enter.

Below is an article about the bill from The New Mexico Independent;

ABQ CITY COUNCIL PASSES LABOR ORDINANCE

By Marjorie Childress 08/19/2008

The majority of the Albuquerque City Council said it was the only fair thing to do when they passed an ordinance tonight to allow binding arbitration to break an impasse during labor/city contract negotiations. The arbitration provision could be triggered by either side if mediation fails to break an impasse, and would apply only to non-economic issues, excluding management rights and alcohol and drug use policies.

Councilor Debbie O’Malley, who sponsored the bill, said the city simply doesn’t have true collective bargaining without the change. Councilor Rey Garduno agreed, saying that the ordinance would “level the playing field.” Currently, public employees are legally barred from striking, and therefore have no recourse to city imposed contracts when negotiations come to a stand still.

“The essence of a union is that if the employer doesn’t negotiate in good faith, they can strike,” Councilor Michael Cadigan explained. “In New Mexico the public unions can’t strike so we need to give them some fair leverage here.”

But Ed Adams, who was confirmed as the city’s Chief Administrative Officer earlier in the evening, said the city’s ability to provide services would be impaired by the ordinance because it would prevent the city from making critical staffing decisions about where and when public employees should work. “The bill is touted as leveling the playing field, but it reverses the playing field,” he said, ”...placing our futures in the hands of an arbitrator who on a whim can make a decision.”

Labor representatives disagreed. Andrew Padilla, president of AFSCME Council 18, said the point is to not get to an impasse, with both sides coming to reasonable agreement. This mechanism would prevent one side from having more leverage than the other, making that outcome more likely.

And AFSCME Council 18’s Josh Anderson added that, ”...as it stands, the union has an underlying belief when they enter into negotiations that the administration doesn’t have enough incentive because at the end of the day they can impose a contract.”

read the rest of the article here.

Free Computer and Electronics Recycling

On August 22 and 23, you can recycle your old computers, stereos, fax machines, copiers, and mobile phones for FREE at Balloon Fiesta Park.

August 22nd is for commercial businesses, and August 23rd is for Albuquerque residents.

Why recycle? Recycling electronics rather than throwing them away protects Albuquerque's environment by preventing dangerous compounds like mercury, lead, and cadmium from leaching into the ground. Plus, the rebuilt electronics are being donated to local schools.

Accepted Items
~Computer monitors (CRTs and LCDs accepted)
~All office-related equipment, including fax machines, copiers, and typewriters
~CPUs (central processing units) including accessories and peripherals
~Consumer electronics including DVD or VCR players and games
~Radios, telephones, and cell phones
~Cameras
~Stereo equipment

Not-Accepted Items
~Televisions
~Home appliances, such as microwaves, stoves, refrigerators, and air conditioners

City Council District 6 Coalition's Recommendations for EXPO NM

City Council District Six Coalition of Neighborhood Associations
600 San Pablo St NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2008

For further information contact Nancy Bearce
Coalition President (505) 254-7841

SE Heights Neighborhood Groups Issue Recommendations for Expo NM

ALBUQUERQUE - As part of the RFI process and in anticipation of the Governor’s visit to Expo NM this Friday at 1:30 pm at the African American Performing Arts Center, surrounding neighborhood groups and elected officials have outlined several desired themes to help guide Expo New Mexico's future planning. Earlier last month, 23 citizens representing 7 neighborhood associations, 4 organizations and 5 public officials gathered for a brainstorming session and are pleased to make the following recommendations. Ideas for a new plan for Expo NM include:

1. Keep the State Fair

2. Provide more job opportunities for area residents and be an asset for creating a
community economic engine

3. Incorporate “Best of " ideas from other cities, i.e. Central Park, NYC;
Millennium Park, Chicago; Soulard Market, St. Louis

4. Be an International/Cultural Destination (cultural centers, sister city cultures,
International Consulate offices, etc.)

5. Include a Rt 66/Central Avenue Promenade

6. Home to a Permanent Grower’s Market/Flea Market (open, inviting, public) such as
the Soulard Market, St. Louis

7. Be a Daily and Year-round Destination including Retail, Restaurants and
Government Offices

8. Provide Year-round Family recreation that is community supported and include all
age activities for children, teens, adults and elders

9. Provide Green Open walkways, lighted and no walls

10. A World Class Event Center like O2 in London that is multi-functional

11. Incorporate thoughtful mixed use planning with a parking garage, gate re-designs,
multi-modal transportation, workable traffic flows, and safe

12. Use Green Building and alternative energy, i.e. solar panels on the covered
grower’s market structure and utilize local companies

13. Include Athletic Fields for a variety of community sports such as soccer, Little
League, etc

14. Include an Equestrian Center, depending on Mesa Del Sol plans

15. Exclude ideas for established long-term housing but consider State Fair housing
and ‘artist in residence’ programs like the Santa Fe Opera

16. Follow a process that permanently includes Neighborhoods and other stakeholders

" The Fairgrounds re-development will impact area residents and neighborhoods for 50 years or more. The Governor is well served by having engaged citizens, their sharing of ideas and the value of their input," says Nancy Bearce, Coalition President.

"What to do with Expo NM was an important issue in the recent primary, I'm pleased our district is proactively voicing its ideas. I'm looking forward to working on this in the legislature," says State Senate District 17 Senator - Elect Tim Keller.

"I am excited to work with the Governor and community leaders on promoting a re-vitalized and vibrant Expo New Mexico that will serve the local neighborhoods as well as the entire state,” says State Representative Al Park, District 26.





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Governor Richardson to Hold a Community Meeting to Hear Ideas for EXPO New Mexico

SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson will hold a community meeting on Friday, Aug. 8, in Albuquerque to hear directly from New Mexicans who have ideas for redeveloping EXPO New Mexico.

“I want to hear from the public, including the private sector and neighborhood associations, to explore every option for renovating the state fairgrounds,” said Governor Richardson.

The Governor will be accompanied by EXPO officials, Finance Secretary Katherine Miller and local legislators, whom will be available to the public for questions and comments about the state fairgrounds.

Governor Richardson is interested in ideas that may include replacing Tingley Coliseum and the Downs Racetrack with a world class EXPO New Mexico Exhibit Center. In effort to maximize the use of the space, the State is open to considering alternative uses for the property, including community green space, multi-use buildings and commercial or residential development.

EXPO New Mexico consists of 237 acres within the city of Albuquerque and contains approximately 1,000,000 square feet of buildings and 7,500 parking spaces.

The community meeting will be held on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 1:30pm in the auditorium at the African American Performing Arts Center on the State Fairgrounds.

This event is open to the media and the public. We urge those who would like to attend, to arrive prior to 1:30pm.

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Public Meeting to Discuss Fuel Release

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. – Kirtland Air Force Base will be holding a public meeting on Thursday, July 31 to discuss the KAFB Bulk Fuels release and the discovery of fuel product on the water table. The meeting will be held at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial and will start at 6 p.m. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Col. Michael Duvall, Commander of the 377th Air Base Wing, Mark Holmes, Project Manager for the Civil Engineer Division, and project support staff from CH2M-Hill will be giving a briefing on the history of the fuel release to include detection, investigation, and remediation efforts as well as future plans to address the fuels release on and off base.
A question and answer session will immediately follow the briefing to address any concerns or issues the public may have. Members of the New Mexico Environmental Department Groundwater Quality Bureau, the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center, and the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility will also be in attendance to answer questions.
The New Mexico Veterans Memorial is located at 1100 Louisiana Blvd SE (near Gibson and Louisiana).
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