DPNM Staff Unionizes Under International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

On Aug 30th, the Democratic Party of New Mexico staff announced their unionization under the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 794. 

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covering DPNM staff was carefully crafted to include provisions unique to their political work and responsibilities. The CBA finally codifies common workplace standards at DPNM, including salary ranges, pay periods, work schedules, job descriptions, time off, grievance procedures, and seniority protections.

Other provisions of the CBA the staff is particularly proud of include: 

• Protection of political freedom to exercise First Amendment rights to freely express personal opinions and participate in political activities on personal time and social media without repercussion

• Prohibiting artificial intelligence “AI” from replacing human labor

• Family Medical, Bereavement, Parental, Personal Leaves

• Health Insurance

• An optional 401k retirement plan with an employer match

A special MOU was adopted alongside the CBA specifically applying to short-term seasonal campaign employees of DPNM commonly known as “Coordinated Campaign” staff. 

“Although the Democratic Party has always maintained strong connections to the structure and ideals of the Organized Labor Movement, DPNM staff has never unionized before, making this long overdue,” said DPNM Communications Director and Staff Union Steward Daniel Garcia. “As staff, we hope this will strengthen the Party by making it a more reliable and overall better workplace that can withstand changes in Party leadership or internal party politics to bolster institutional knowledge and incentivize working here, leading to better work and sustained victories for years to come. All parties involved in these negotiations feel we did this responsibly, informed by our political experiences and understanding of DPNM’s needs.”

“It is truly historic that the Democratic Party of New Mexico staff is finally unionized and I am so proud to welcome them to the IAMAW family with a unique collective bargaining agreement that took into account many different aspects of their mission and political day-to-day work,” said IAMAW Local Lodge 794 President Directing Business Representative Ashley Long. “DPNM employees have been working hard to get pro-Labor candidates elected for years, without having union representation themselves, so this was very well-deserved and long overdue for the staff.” 

“It is exciting to be here at the Party while we are making this historic effort that will have a positive, lasting impact for future staff,” said DPNM Finance Assistant Clayton Caté. “As DPNM staff, now we will know that management decisions will have accountability and a codified process to adhere to going forward.”

“I think we covered a lot of bases with our Collective Bargaining Agreement that provide responsible protections for staff and strengthen DPNM as a workplace,” said DPNM Party Affairs and Organizing Director Isaiah Baca. “It’s great to see the Party finally fully living up to its pro-Labor values.” 

IAMAW Local Lodge 794 President Directing Business Representative Ashley Long will serve as the union representative and contact for the DPNM staff. DPNM Communications Director Daniel Garcia will serve as the first DPNM workplace Union Steward and Isaiah Baca will be Alternate Steward. 

DPNM staff believes that every worker has rights that deserve to be protected, which is why they offers their unironic support and nonpartisan willingness to help the Republican Party of New Mexico staff unionize. Current DPNM staff wants to thank the former staff members who actively participated in this process which began almost two years ago.