ROSWELL NEW MEXICO
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Item No. 22.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 10/08/2026
COMMITTEE:
N/A
CONTACT:
C. Josh Nairn-Mahan
CHAIR:
Mayor Pro Tem
ACTION REQUESTED:
Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Utility Workers Union of America, Local 51. (Corn/Nairn-Mahan)
BACKGROUND:
Initiated by: City Administration
The Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, Local 51 (UWU) is the exclusive collective bargaining representative for regular full-time, non-probationary employees in the classifications certified by the City of Roswell Labor Management Relations Board on September 4, 2004, pursuant to the City of Roswell Labor Management Relations Ordinance, effective August 1, 2004. While the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) remains in effect through June 30, 2029, negotiations for the mid-contract reopener commenced on May 1, 2026. Consistent with the terms of the agreement, bargaining was limited to Article 28, Classification and Compensation. The parties held an additional bargaining session on May 26, 2026, and thereafter exchanged proposals via email.
On September 18, 2026, the parties reached a tentative agreement that was accepted by both negotiating teams. The proposed agreement provides bargaining unit employees a 0.8% wage increase effective the first full pay period following ratification and a step increase in December 2026. The agreement also addresses the appropriate pay grade placement of three bargaining unit positions that were recently added to the unit through a joint accretion petition. The proposed amendment reflects the negotiated terms agreed upon by both the City and UWU.
The Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, Local 51 (UWU) is the exclusive collective bargaining representative for regular full-time, non-probationary employees in the classifications certified by the City of Roswell Labor Management Relations Board on September 4, 2004, pursuant to the City of Roswell Labor Management Relations Ordinance, effective August 1, 2004. While the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) remains in effect through June 30, 2029, negotiations for the mid-contract reopener commenced on May 1, 2026. Consistent with the terms of the agreement, bargaining was limited to Article 28, Classification and Compensation. The parties held an additional bargaining session on May 26, 2026, and thereafter exchanged proposals via email.
On September 18, 2026, the parties reached a tentative agreement that was accepted by both negotiating teams. The proposed agreement provides bargaining unit employees a 0.8% wage increase effective the first full pay period following ratification and a step increase in December 2026. The agreement also addresses the appropriate pay grade placement of three bargaining unit positions that were recently added to the unit through a joint accretion petition. The proposed amendment reflects the negotiated terms agreed upon by both the City and UWU.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION
Bargaining unit employees will be subject to the City’s classification system for this fiscal year and be eligible for a retention incentive.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed the proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE ACTION:
This item was placed on the Agenda at the request of the City Manager.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Proceed as presented.