Unions join forces for solidarity rally in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Workers from all different career fields came together Saturday in support of unions.

The Carpenters Local Union 1319 hosted more than a hundred fellow union members for a solidarity rally.

Local 1319 President Rosendo Najar says it’s important for all unions to stand together.

“It’s important for us to show solidarity with other unions, not just the trade unions, but the public sector,” Najar said.

In the Albuquerque metro, Local 1319 has been around for 120 years.

“That means the world to us, you know, to be able to say that we’re older than the state is,” Najar said. “We’ve been building the state before we’re in statehood.”

The event also shines a light on how important trade work is. Iconic labor activist Dolores Huerta was there as a speaker.

“These carpenters here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, it’s not just about building houses or building hospitals for the community,” Huerta said. “It’s also about going out to the community. They’ve set up all these training programs, especially for young people.”

She said with the current SAG-AFTRA strike going on and the potential UPS strike recently, workers have to know their rights.

“Well, sometimes you have to go on strike to get the type of protections that they need, to get a contract, to get laborers to sign with them – that will protect their wages, health benefits, and working conditions,” Huerta said. “So, it’s super important for workers to have that protection.”

Huerta said laborers have to stick together.

Organizers told KOB 4 that the event also acts as a fundraiser for different local unions.