Local Right-to-Work Rules Sweep New Mexico Counties

New Mexico right-to-work activists watched state lawmakers repeatedly reject a ban on mandatory union membership, so they raised the fight locally. The debate took months, but in January Sandoval County became the first in New Mexico to pass a right-to-work ordinance. Seven others have since followed—nearly a quarter of the state’s counties. New Mexico is the next testing ground for local right-to-work rules that affect private employers in places without statewide laws. Similar efforts in Kentucky and Illinois raised legal questions with national implications about the power cities and counties have under federal labor law. Some right-to-work activists say local ordinances can boost business appeal and give workers more freedom, while opponents argue they weaken the benefits of unions. Sandoval County is facing a lawsuit alleging the county commission exceeded its authority in approving the rules sponsored by Republican Commissioner Jay Block...MORE