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Mayor’s Radio Ad Has Unions Crying FoulUnions say mayor’s ads supporting labor law ordinance don’t clear up questionsRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - Radio ads about the mayor's new ordinance to overhaul the city's labor laws have been hitting the Anchorage airwaves for about two weeks. As part of a $28,000 ad campaign from the mayor’s office, a new ad featuring the mayor started airing late last week. But union workers say the ad doesn’t tell the whole story. In the ad the mayor addresses what his ordinance calls "managed competition," essentially a way for private businesses to bid for contracts to perform city services. “Hi, I'm Mayor Dan Sullivan,” the ad begins. “Leaders of the Anchorage Assembly and I recently introduced the Responsible Labor Act, an ordinance that will improve the way future labor contracts are negotiated.” Highlighting benefits of the proposal in the ad, Mayor Sullivan states that emergency services aren't eligible for bids from private contractors. “I can assure you that public safety services, such as EMS and 911, will not be considered for bid,” the ad states. But Anchorage fire fighters aren't so quick to accept the mayor's word. “Nothing's been put out in writing,” Rod Harris said. As the president of the Anchorage Fire Fighters Union, he said the ordinance, as it stands now, puts public safety out to bid. “The original ordinance had EMS in there, that it could be contracted out,” Harris said. “We've been told now by the mayor in those meetings, and publicly, that that's not the case. But we have not seen the amendments yet.” “We're still not getting full answers to our questions on any of that,” Harris said. Today the Fire Fighters Union released an ad of their own, urging listeners to talk to their Assembly representative to get answers for those questions. In the fire fighter’s ad, Harris says “it's important that the full impact of any legislation is known before it is enacted. The future potential of this ordinance is still not clear.” It’s how the unions are urging the assembly to work out answers going in to a public hearing set for this Wednesday, where another over-flow crowd is expected. As for the amendments, Assembly Chair Ernie Hall said the assembly is working on the drafts of several amendments, and trying to address other issues that have been raised about the ordinance, but they won't be releasing an amended version until March 8, after they've allowed the public to weigh in. |
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Anonymous said on Tuesday, Feb 26 at 12:10 PM
unions crying foul the tax payers should be calling foul the way the public unions have tryed to hold the hard working private sector hostage for years change is do!!!
114615632Justsaying said on Tuesday, Feb 26 at 12:31 PM
Both the City of Anchorage and the State of Alaska are trying to pass ordinances, laws and even change the Alaska Constitution without supplying language to limit the laws intent. Once the law or ordinance is passed, they can then do anything they want under the new law - and it will be legal. The people had better start paying attention or we are all in big trouble. Ernie Hall says that the amendments won't be released until after public comment is ended? And the citizens of Anchorage are letting them get away with it? Just wow...
114617971jb1957 said on Tuesday, Feb 26 at 2:12 PM
Sully has to hurry to pass this while his South Anchorage toadies and his appointed toady is still in office before the next election. Can we get a write in election opposing toady Hall?
114629081AKJoe said on Tuesday, Feb 26 at 3:56 PM
@Anouymous, Please tell us how the Police and Fire Departments have held hard working people hostage? I agree some changes can and should be made. This can be accomplished under the current system. This ordinance is draconian as it is written and will have a devastating affect on thousands of "hard working" people in Anchorage. Don't believe for a second that this is about aligning holidays, medical plans and simplifying contracts as the Mayor suggests. Read the ordinance and tell me if you would choose a career under these guidelines that endangers your life, has no pension and guarantees a pay CUT every year you stay?
114639596hard working man said on Tuesday, Feb 26 at 4:13 PM
We just need to follow the leftist ideal and " pass this thing so we can see whats in it" per the liberal ideology!!!!!!
114641111good said on Tuesday, Feb 26 at 7:14 PM
Go mayor!!!!!!!!
114657341thinking person said on Tuesday, Feb 26 at 10:07 PM
So are we going to contract out our teachers too?
114670675Raven33 said on Thursday, Feb 28 at 7:51 PM
To Justsaying... Sounds like you're talking about the Obama administration except that in this case it is to save money instead on increase spending!
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