Mayor breaks tie vote, approving right-to-work law in Ruidoso

• Mayor said he didn't like feeling threatened over the issue

Ruidoso emerged last week apparently, as the first municipality in New Mexico to pass a right-to-work ordinance. The vote was split 3-3 and Mayor Lynn Crawford broke the tie.

The only changes to the draft submitted for public hearing were to switch the enforcing agent from the police chief to the police department and to remove a provision that the ordinance would apply to renewals of existing contracts. The amendments passed 5-1, with Councilor Tim Coughlin voting against at the council’s Nov. 13 session.

When the time came to vote on the motion by Councilor Joe Eby to approval the amended ordinance, councilors split. Voting against were Councilors Susan Lutterman, Tim Coughlin and Gary Jackson, citing among other things their reluctance to spend village dollars on possible litigation when other needs loom. Voting for the ordinance were Councilors Joe Eby, John Cornelius and Rafael “Rifle” Salas, who offered the two wording changes.

Earlier in the meeting, Crawford said he didn’t like being threatened for “even considering” passage, which appeared to be the aim of a letter sent to the village mentioning litigation. He voted to approve the ordinance, which would not cover public employees with the school district or those employed by the village, state or federal government.

“The intent of this ordinance is to provide that no employees covered by the National Labor Relations Act need join or pay dues to a union, or refrain from joining a union, as a condition of employment; and provides certain penalties for violation of those employment rights,” the ordinance states.

“What’s the big deal, if you have a choice?” the mayor asked, questioning if labor union officials fear they have not earned the money they collect or are not doing what their members want them to do.

“It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the village to ensure individual freedom of choice in the pursuit of employment, for the protection and convenience of its citizens who desire the broadest choice of employment opportunities, to permit its citizens to choose to increase their real take-home pay by decreasing mandatory payroll deductions to stimulate savings and economic growth, and to encourage an employment climate conducive to the promotion of the village to locate, expand or maintain large and small businesses for economic development,” the ordinance stated, and continued, “Right to work shall not be infringed or restricted in any way based on membership in, affiliation with, or financial support of a labor organization.”

The basis for passage was promotion of economic development and expansion of employment. The preamble cited the village council being tasked with and empowered to enact ordinances of local self-governance, including for the protection and convenience of the public, to encourage local commerce and protect the rights and well-being of its citizens.

Voluntary deductions remain protected. Coercion and intimidation are prohibited and such claims can be investigated with criminal and civil penalties.

Three speakers, including Christina Arnold of Alto and Jason Vaillancourt of Albuquerque, supported choice, citing 11 counties in New Mexico already passing right-to-work ordinances. Lincoln County Commissioner Elaine Allen went to the podium to lay out the position of the county, which also recently passed a right-to-work ordinance. She said the hope is that with towns and counties approving such laws, the state legislature, which has resisted, may follow.

Provisions of the ordinance only apply to contracts entered into after the effective date of the ordinance covering employees within the village’s jurisdictions. It does not apply to renewal or extension of existing contracts.