While the private sector has bounced back from pandemic job losses, public sector jobs still haven鈥檛 recovered, according to . In an effort to put a dent in the persistent shortage, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) joined with the City of Albuquerque, state and other local governments Monday to encourage community members to give their jobs a chance.
Mayor Tim Keller said at the hiring event that the city is in desperate need of help. He said as many as 30% of positions are vacant in some departments.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 even have enough solid waste drivers to have normal shifts everyday. We have to use forced overtime since the pandemic,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur transit drivers have the same challenge. We have to cut bus routes because we literally don鈥檛 have enough drivers.鈥�
He highlighted that the city gigs come with training, benefits and opportunities to advance. 鈥淎nd most importantly, they come with awesome labor protections from AFSCME,鈥� he said.
The mayor praised the union and touted his administration鈥檚 strong collaboration with its leaders.
鈥淵ou know, people ask me all the time, 鈥榃ho runs the city?鈥� And that kind of thing,鈥� he said. 鈥淟ook, the answer is AFSCME. We are proud to be an AFSCME-run city.鈥�
President Casey Padilla said the vacancies take a toll on essential services when things get missed, but also on the staff.
鈥淚t's kind of hard to balance things in your life a little bit with having to work extra hours,鈥� he said.
Still, he said the jobs should be attractive to those entering the workforce because a $15 minimum wage with the city, along with better job security and retirement plans than can often be found in the private sector.
鈥淭hose are many of the things that the younger people don鈥檛 understand,鈥� he said.
The city is also offering of $500 to $1,500 for some positions, and as much as $10,000 to $15,000 in the police and fire departments.
