Roswell council approves Utility Workers Union Local 51 agreement

The Roswell City Council approved an agreement with the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL‑CIO Local 51 at its open session after returning from a closed session. The council called the item and a motion to approve the agreement was made and seconded; the clerk then called the roll and the motion carried.

The item was taken up immediately after the council ended a closed session held pursuant to NMSA 1978 § 10‑15(H)(5) to discuss attorney‑client privileged communications regarding union matters and § 10‑15(H)(8) to discuss the acquisition or disposal of real property; the mayor reported that “no action was taken and no votes were cast” during the closed session. Council discussion on the union agreement at the open meeting was procedural: the mayor asked for a motion, a council member moved to approve, Councilor Rapressa seconded, and the clerk called the roll with each councilor recorded as voting yes.

No members of the public spoke on the agreement during the meeting’s public comment opportunity for that item, and the clerk recorded an affirmative vote across the council to approve the contract. The council did not discuss the text of the agreement publicly during the open meeting and no amendments were offered on the floor.

The approval advances the agreement into effect as the council’s formal action; the meeting record shows the vote and that there were no recorded “no” or “abstain” votes on the roll call for this item.