(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka announced last week the Alaska Division of Personnel and Labor Relations has filed claims of Unfair Labor Practice (ULPs) and a Petition to Enforce the collective bargaining agreements against the Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA) and the Alaska Public Employees Association-Supervisory Unit (APEA). The filing is a result of the Unions’ actions related to the unnecessary delay and disruption of the statewide implementation of biweekly payroll. 

Transitioning from 2 payroll systems to one system for all employees is good for our employees and good for the State. It will mean less payroll corrections and delays in pay. We tried to get ASEA and APEA employees an extra $2 million in pay for 2020 by transitioning them from semimonthly to biweekly payroll in December 2019, but the unions refused.”

The unions’ contracts require them to convert to biweekly payroll “as soon as feasible.” Converting to a biweekly system prior to 2020 would have allowed employees to take advantage of a system that pays based on number of days worked rather than set calendar dates. In years with additional workdays, like 2020, most salaried employees will earn more pay in a biweekly system than a semimonthly system. Employees paid hourly rates will see no difference in pay. 

When the unions refused to convert to biweekly payroll in December, the State made a concession to split out the conversion and allow these unions and others to convert in June 2020, at their request. After the State’s concession, however, ASEA and APEA still refused to sign the agreements. Both unions engaged in bad faith bargaining, regressive bargaining, and violated their contracts. Although Letters of Agreements were created that address all the unions’ stated concerns, both unions still refuse to sign the agreements.

All other employees across all three branches of state government have already converted to biweekly payroll or are converting in June. Further, many private companies, municipalities across Alaska, and the University of Alaska system are also on a biweekly schedule. The transition to biweekly payroll will be a great improvement for employees and the State, as the benefits of a far simpler payroll process will be mutually realized by both parties.  

Quoting a news release, the Alaska Division of Personnel and Labor Relations eagerly awaits resolution with both ASEA and APEA so their members can convert to biweekly payroll as soon as feasible, as their contracts require.

Edited By Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Administration
www.doa.alaska.gov

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