June 21, 2007
Thursday

The State of Alaska's Division of Personnel and Labor Relations announced todaythat a one year collective bargaining agreement has been reached with the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific (IBU). This unit represents the unlicensed crew on the Alaska Marine Highway System. The agreement covers the period of July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008.

This is the sixth agreement reached under the new administration. The State has yet to reach a tentative agreement with the Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA) or the Alaska Public Employees Association (APEA).

Dianne Kiesel, Director for the State of Alaska's Division of Personnel and Labor Relations, noted, "We are very pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the IBU. Our employees working on the Alaska Marine Highway System provide a wonderful public service that is essential to Alaskans and impressive to the traveling public visiting our great State."

Kiesel outlined major points in the IBU collective bargaining agreement:

• Salaries will increase three percent July 1, 2007, and;
• The State's contribution for health insurance will be $852 monthly.
• The State of Alaska will initiate a program for the initial Transportation Worker Identification Card certification.

Annette Kreitzer, Commissioner of the Department of Administration said, "I am pleased to see us reach a tentative agreement with this unit. These employees work closely with the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots (MM&P) representing the licensed deck officers on the Alaska Marine Highway System and the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) representing the licensed engineers who signed a one year agreement earlier this year." Kreitzer said, "Having a contract that recognizes the hard work of those represented by the Maritime Units is important for the State as well as the Alaska Marine Highway System."

Nancy Sutch served as the Chief Spokesperson with Dennis Hardy, Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Transportation, serving on the bargaining team for the State of Alaska. Daryl Tseu, IBU Regional Director, led the IBU bargaining team.

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Administration
www.alaska.gov

 

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