JUNEAU – Hundreds of public ferry workers who operate Alaska's vital Marine Highway conducted a vote this week – and decided by a margin of 86% to reject the package of harsh measures proposed by Governor Dunleavy's administration, that included the following:
1. Cancelling 28 negotiated settlements reached during almost three years of contract bargaining.
2. No wage increases in over 5 years.
3. A one year contract instead of the normal and more efficient three year contracts.
4. The use of expensive and wasteful mandatory overtime instead of hiring more workers.
5. Poor treatment by management has resulted in most new hires quitting this year.
"The Governor cut 46 million dollars out of the AMHS's operating budget, slashing ferry service to the communities that depend on us for their lifeline" said Trina Arnold, elected Director of Alaska's Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific, an affiliate of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). "There's 107,301 Alaskans who live in communities served by the ferry that will lose their regular service," said Arnold
"We've spent almost 3 years bargaining with the State, including federal mediation, in a good-faith effort to negotiate a fair contract," says Marina Secchitano, President of the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific. "The members have made it very clear by their vote that the State's unfair proposal is not acceptable."
"We remain hopeful that the State will accept the Union's last compromise contract offer that will keep the state's ferry system running smoothly for the residents of Alaska."
Barring a settlement, a strike could come as early as Wednesday July 24.
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