Three-Year Tentative Agreement Reached Between Alaska State and Ferry Workers

Monday, 5 August 2019 12:57

The earliest many Alaskan ferries could be operating again is Saturday (photo courtesy of Skagway.com)

A tentative three-year agreement has been reached between the Alaska state and the union representing the Alaskan Marine Highway System workers.

A tentative three-year agreement has been reached between the Alaska state and the union representing the Alaskan Marine Highway System workers.

Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka says in a release that a new three-year deal was reached Thursday night. Voting was ongoing as of Friday afternoon and Tshibaka says more information on the deal will be released after union members ratify the agreement.

The union says wages, health care and lack of communication over how budget cuts would impact them were some of the reasons members went on strike on July 24th.

Union President and Chief Negotiator Marina Secchitano says in a Alaska state release that the new agreement directly deals with many of the concerns voiced by union members.

Alaskan Marine Highway System officials say they're currently preparing to bring ferries back online and they say the earliest ships could be sailing again is Saturday.

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