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Large Crowd of Union Members Protests Mayor’s Labor Ordinance at Assembly MeetingMayor Dan Sullivan wasn’t present for Tuesday’s meetingRelated Content
ANCHORAGE – The sound of loud chanting seeped into the assembly chambers at the Loussac Library during Tuesday night’s assembly meeting. Hundreds of Anchorage residents were rallying outside while Mayor Dan Sullivan’s proposed ordinance to change the way the city deals with organized labor was officially introduced to the Anchorage Assembly. About 1,500 people arrived shortly before 5 p.m. in protest of the ordinance to change the relationship between the city and its unionized employees. Those union members said if the ordinance goes through their way of life will drastically change. “These are the working men and women of the city,” said Rod Harris, the Anchorage Fire Fighters Union president, as he pointed to a large crowd of men and women holding bright signs behind him. “These, more importantly, are the people affected by their decisions. These are livelihoods at stake.” Harris represents just one of many groups that were surprised by the ordinance, only made available for public viewing Friday evening. “There was no foresight, no notice to department heads, no discussion with labor unions,” said Harris. “Nobody was brought into this discussion. This ordinance was done behind closed doors, with a select few people -- the process stinks.” But even more worrisome, they said, are the possible effects. “We are upset about what the potential outcome will be, but almost right now it’s more frustrating about the lack of including us in the process,” said Sgt. Gerard Asselin, the Anchorage Police Union president. “Kind of take the way things are and flip it 180 degrees.” A major sticking point, union members said, is the ordinance would lump eight different work groups and put it into one, as well as take away their bargaining power. “The mayor would certainly be pro-management, and unfortunately since taking office in 2008, each year he talks about the money shortage in Anchorage and how it’s due to labor contracts and the money involved with them,” said Asselin. The protestors that showed up Tuesday night said they have one message. “We want to be able to come in, do our job, and serve the citizens and not worry about the mayor being the enemy of the public employee,” said Jillanne Inglis, with the Municipal Employees Association. Mayor Sullivan was not at Tuesday night’s assembly meeting. |
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herb said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 8:47 AM
They should work as hard as they protest............
113423931Vince said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 9:04 AM
herb: they do!
113425421David Denholm said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 10:00 AM
According to the Bureau of National Affair's "Union Membership & Earnings Data Book" public employees in Alaska earn 12.3% more than employees on private payrolls. The unions seem to be complaining that the mayor didn't follow all the typical procedures that have given the unions the upper hand in the past. Duh! If you are going to make meaningful changes you can't keep doing the same thing that got you in trouble in the first place. The democratic process is what is going on now with the Assembly considering the proposals in an open public meeting. Maybe that will put the public and the unions on a more equal footing. You can't expect the unions to like that.
113429985kearbear said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 10:41 AM
Serve the citizens? More likely the taxpaying citizens are forced to serve the demands of public employee unions. Cadillac healthcare insurance, all expense paid vacations, golden retirements, nearly impossible to be fired employees. Taxpayers foot the bill of the never ending demands of public union workers.
113433952Gee said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 11:33 AM
public unions are a major problem across the country if you are in a public union you should make no more then the state median income!!!Other wise the jobs should be put up for bid to the private sector ,that will do a better job at a better price,and not be a drain on the tax payer!!!!
113438045ColdHardFacts said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 3:39 PM
AFD will no longer run the emergency ambulance service in Anchorage. It will go out for bid to a low bid private company. AFD was recently 2nd in the Country for Cardiac Saves (basically keeping people from dying after a heart attack) AFD has a response time (arrival on scene) of less than 4 min. (Studies show AMR, a national private ambulance co.) has an average of 10 minute response times. AFD shows up and evaluates a patient and, if the patient is not transported, there is no charge. Private firms charge just to show up - minimums are usually around $800 - and that's without being transported. AFD Charges around $750 for an ALS transport, Private firms charge up to $2,200.
113456502ColdHardFacts said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 3:40 PM
It's also worth noting that the only private ambulance firm in Anchorage is limited to inter-facility transfers and transporting medivac patients from the airport to the hospitals. They frequently have to call AFD because they are unable to meet that commitment (one with long lead times or prior scheduling as opposed to sudden 911 calls). What happens when there are no AFD Ambulances to pick up the slack?
113456551DisgustedAnchorageCitizen said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 3:50 PM
"They should work as hard as they protest." ? HERB:It seems you may have a problem with speaking on issues that you know NOTHING about. You should remedy that ASAP. "Serve the citizens? More likely the taxpaying citizens are forced to serve the demands of public employee unions. Cadillac healthcare insurance, all expense paid vacations, golden retirements, nearly impossible to be fired employees. Taxpayers foot the bill of the never ending demands of public union workers."KEARBEAR: I would give you the same advice I gave to herb, but I fear you would not be able to comprehend such a mentally challenging feat. You seem to be living in a fantasy world. "ALL EXPENSE PAID VACATIONS"? WHERE? Tell me so I can jump on it! smh
113456945fairbanks wife said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 7:14 PM
my husband is a union hand and he works harder than and smarter and deserves every penny he earns!! unions hands are getting hit with with higher co pays and less coverage and shrinking retirement! there is no cadillac anything! it just seems that way to those who have earned less for themselves...
113469976Anonymous said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 8:49 PM
if he cares so much about our city maybe he could take a pay cut and put an end to the day spas and start shopping a value villge instead of nordstroms.
113474562Anonymous said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 8:51 PM
start drinking folgers instead of starbucks. it's a start
113474681Blue Light Special said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 10:03 PM
That's who I want loading me in the meat wagon the cheapest we can find. Besides that privatizing should work great because you know private sector has no interest in making a profit. Anyone paying $13 a month for local telephone service after unloading ATU? This isn't about saving taxpayer money otherwise he wouldn't spend millions on work studies, a time keeping system that has done nothing but cost us more, and exempt ASD from all of it. Meanwhile giving his executives pay increases the very same day he asked unions for concessions. Don't forget utilities actually make millions for the Muni, better unload them while you can.
113477891eazy now said on Thursday, Feb 14 at 10:51 PM
As a union member, I do work hard every day. This proposal is not about taxes, its about taking away bargaining rights from union members. Its a fair process as it is, if neither side agree's to the others contract proposal, a neutral arbitrator decides the issue. NEUTRAL, not assembly biased. Why take away something that benefits both sides?
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