UNM graduate workers picket for higher wages

May 1—Graduate student workers at the University of New Mexico picketed the administration Wednesday, demanding substantial raises in advance of upcoming contract negotiations.

About 30 grad students, including a small band of musicians, gathered outside Scholes Hall, where they said the UNM Board of Regents was discussing bargaining strategy in closed session.

Lexi Kenis, president of the United Graduate Workers, said UNM is offering graduate students a 4% raise, which is far less than workers are seeking.

UGW, local No. 1466 of United Electrical Workers, represents about 1,500 UNM graduate assistants, teaching assistants and research assistants, she said.

Most graduate workers are paid about $1,500 a month, she said.

A UNM spokesman acknowledged Wednesday that the university is currently engaged in negotiations with UGW-UE.

"As required by state law and respectful negotiating practice, the University does not comment on the details of active negotiations," UNM spokesman Steve Carr said in an email.

Kenis said UGW is asking for a 50% raise for graduate workers, which would raise salaries above the poverty level for a two-person family.

About 70% of UGW members have at least one other dependent, Kenis said.

The 4% raise UNM is offering would hurt many graduate workers by making them ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously called food stamps, she said.

UNM needs to increase pay for graduate workers to make it possible for low-income students to attend graduate school, she said.

"We're fighting to make graduate school more accessible," she said.