State Reminds Striking IBU Members About Pending Loss of Free Health Coverage
July 28, 2019
Quoting the news release, many IBU employees cannot afford those premiums and could lose health insurance coverage for their families if they remain on strike. “I am deeply concerned what losing health insurance coverage could mean for our workers, their spouses and children because I represent them too,” said Commissioner Tshibaka. “We can prevent this from happening - but only if IBU leadership joins the administration’s negotiating team by contacting the Federal Mediator and returning to the bargaining table to work this out in the short amount of time we have left and thus end this strike.” According to the Department of Administration, starting August 1, 2019 striking employees will be responsible for paying the entire cost of their health insurance premium, in accordance with COBRA. Monthly rates are approximately $1,000 a month for an employee, and $2,800 a month for an employee and family. Commissioner Tshibaka added, “I strongly encourage striking workers and family members that face the loss of their current health coverage to contact IBU leadership to learn for themselves what unresolved issues remain in the contract negotiations and to ask what it will take to get them back to the bargaining table. IBU leadership is playing politics and until that stops, our employees are the ones who are suffering.” The letter stated the State is working diligently to reach a resolution with the IBU and have notified the Federal Mediator of the willingness to meet with union leadership at the Mediator’s earliest convenience. "We do not want our IBU employees to go without pay or benefits. We do not want our ships stuck in port and the AMHS shut down." The letter provided AMHS employees information on what their financial cost will be if they wish to continue health coverage for self and/or eligible dependents and how to set up those payments. Quoting the news release, many IBU employees cannot afford those premiums and could lose health insurance coverage for their families if they remain on strike. The Associated Press reported, "Robb Arnold, a union spokesman, said wages and health care are side issues compared with how he said workers are treated. He said workers are frustrated by a lack of communication on what cuts to the ferry system budget could mean for them." During the special session which is still ongoing, the Alaska House inserted on July 24th an additional $5 million in the Capital Budget for the AMHS and HB 2001 was referred to the Senate for consideration yesterday, July 27th. The amendment in House Bill 2001 seeks to prevent some coastal communities from going without Alaska Marine Highway System service this winter. Cordova and Yakutat, for example, would see no ferry service for almost seven months, from October 1 through April 30, while Kodiak and Seldovia are at risk of going without ferry service for more than three months, from January 12, 2020 through April 30, 2020. The amended version of the bill, which passed with unanimous support from the Alaska House Majority, restores $5 million in funding directly to ferry operations. This is intended to allow some level of service during the winter months to the communities most impacted by reductions to the ferry system. “Even with this amendment, the Alaska Marine Highway System is set to take the largest cut in state funding of any agency,” said Rep. Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican who co-chairs the House Transportation Committee. Stutes said, “Without a course correction, these reductions will greatly impact coastal communities’ health, safety, and economic welfare. Our ferry system is the lifeblood of coastal Alaska, and we can and must do better.” The Capital Budget has yet to be passed by the Legislature and sent to the Governor. The legislature will resume sessions again Monday morning. Vetoes are also being addressed by the House and Senate with some funding being restored. The Alaska Department of Transportaion announced Saturday that the Alaska Marine Highway System vessels are still not sailing due to the ongoing Inlandboatmen's Union strike. All vessel sailings are cancelled through Tuesday, July 30, with the exception of the MV Kennicott, which is cancelled through Wednesday, August 7. Passenger fares for these affected sailings are being refunded. The AMHS Reservations Call Center will be open limited hours from 10:00am – 2:00pm, Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. The call center will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 29 from 7:30am – 4:00pm. Due to the high volume of calls, it may take time to connect with a customer service representative. To inquire about your refund, please call 1-800-642-0066. Passenger fares for these affected sailings are being refunded. The Reservations Call Center was open for limited hours from 10:00am – 2:00pm, Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. The call center will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 29 from 7:30am – 4:00pm. Due to the high volume of calls, it may take time to connect with a customer service representative. As of Thursday evening, the Associated Press reported more than $1 million had been refunded to stranded ferry passengers of the Alaska Marine Highway. To inquire about a refund, call 1-800-642-0066.
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Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews
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