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Assembly Split Over Mayor’s New OrdinanceFirst hearing of divisive overhaul to how the city draws up union contractsRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - The Anchorage Assembly is divided after the introduction of Mayor Dan Sullivan's ordinance that aims to dramatically re-write the city's labor laws. In the days leading up to the ordinance’s first reading, unions have been gearing up for a fight. Outside the Assembly meeting Tuesday night, demonstrators chanted “no on 37.” Inside, the assembly chambers—as well as the adjacent lobby—were filled beyond capacity. In all, more than 1,500 people gathered to show their opposition to the mayor’s ordinance. Inside, an internal struggle within the assembly was also being waged, as several members tried to stop the ordinance before it even got started. Assemblyman Paul Honeman (District 5-East Anchorage) first called for the ordinance to not be read at all. When that didn't work, others tried to delay the hearing for public testimony by weeks. In the end, the ordinance was accepted for first reading. But while the union crowd dispersed soon after the assembly moved on to other business, the assembly members remain divided on the issue. “It's a common sense approach to dealing with what is a significant cost to our city operations,” said Assemblyman Chris Birch (District 6-South Anchorage). He supports the bill, and said today that he thinks it doesn’t go far enough. “We look are recruiting efforts for police and fire academies, and we’ll typically have hundreds respond for each open position,” Birch said. “The city doesn't really have a problem at this point and retaining very qualified and capable employees.” But opponents of the bill said today they think the way the mayor has handled the issue reveals political—rather than fiscal—motivations. And they aren't happy about being left out of the process. “The mayor doesn’t reach out to me about anything,” said Elvi Gray-Jackson (District 4-Midtown). “I think what would have been a better approach was for the mayor and my two colleagues to contact all the unions and any other stake holders and sat down at the table and draft some kind of ordinance that would have helped everyone come to some kind of consensus.” Those colleagues Gray-Jackson referred to are the ordinance’s co-sponsors in the Anchorage Assembly, Chair Ernie Hall (District 3 - West Anchorage) and Jennifer Johnston (District 6 - South Anchorage). The city and the unions are scheduled to come back to the bargaining table within a month. Municipal Attorney Dennis Wheeler said Wednesday that two union contracts are set to expire at the end of June. By law, negotiations for a new contract must begin no less than 90 days from the current contract’s expiration date. Whether a consensus can be reached before then remains to be seen. |
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geteducatedanchorage said on Tuesday, Feb 19 at 9:20 AM
You think some workers in this city are over compensated? Angry b/c you want what others have? Did you get a good education, training, job skills, were you accepted into the competitive union apprenticeship/ job training/vocational schools so that you could have one of those "over compensated" jobs? Maybe, maybe not. No matter, do not think the cost of living is going to go down because wages go down! The cost of living ALWAYS goes up, we live in a capitalist country. Remember, we don’t live in the country of Alaska, in the USA you get what you work for then you pay taxes to make sure those who don’t work for what they have get what they want. You could however, go live in China where you can be a low paid common laborer, never have a voice and never be able to improve your living standards based on how hard you work. Stand up Anchorage-don't let our Assembly ramrod this ordinance.
113940701Kaffy said on Sunday, Feb 17 at 6:38 PM
I would like to know where everyone is getting their information about ALL muni employees being over paid? Please pass the information on so all of Anchorage has access to it. I know a couple of years ago muni employees were forced to take 56 hours of leave without pay, that wouldn't happen in the private sector! I also know thru research that the health department is funded thru federal grants, and building safety is funded thru building fees. Our lying, sneaky mayor, assembly chair and vice chair are not giving the entire truth and are conning Anchorage citizens, why else leave the rest of the assembly out of their plan?
113783681save our city said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 4:22 PM
If I want a pay raise at work, I work hard. If the company isnt profitable, i dont get a pay raise.. Union members dont get a pay raise, the cry like a 2 year old and strike...trying to force the employer to bend to their will. Really!!
113697132save our city said on Saturday, Feb 16 at 4:18 PM
About time we get a mayor with a pair! Standup to the unions. Why do police make 6 figure salaries? City budget is so hi because of out of control union salaries. Put all salary increases to a vote. Let me have a say in how my tax money is. spent
113696972Hmmmm said on Friday, Feb 15 at 12:14 AM
The issue is not solely money, at least for the fire union. Current contract stipulates staffing. The ordinance includes control of all elements of staffing, one of the more important parts of the contract. Allowing any mayor the reduce the number of responders on a fire engine below safe numbers, to "keep the rig open", even if it is incapable of performing. It will save money, but is one possible savings that will reduce the service the public has now. There are many things in this ordinance that shift all power from employee's to the administration. Sounds good if you believe that all politicians want only to provide the best bang for the buck, and would never scrimp or save, or risk safety, for the people that elected them.
113567321good said on Thursday, Feb 14 at 7:29 PM
pass the dang think. unions are driving up the cost of living with their high pay. Presy wants min wage to go up, what does he think will happen to the price of goods? maybe cuts are in order too. bring on city sales tax and spread the pain.
113557102easy money said on Thursday, Feb 14 at 4:13 PM
Bison Bob, I have no illusion that my taxes are going to go down no matter who is Mayor (unless someone autocrat that no one likes, i.e.Tom Fink is elected into office). I'm not that naive. However, I do believe we can begin to slow the increased spending if we do a better job of managing how we "share our wealth". People being given better benefits than the folks paying for them, is a classic example of how uncontrolled, politically driven spending is undermining our ability to improve our individual financial independence.
113546152Bison Bob said on Thursday, Feb 14 at 2:02 PM
@easy money- Do you thin your taxes are going to go down or even stay the same with all the cuts? You are going to see less service and no savings. You will pay more and get less. I am with you, yet I refuse to accept half-rate service for full price. It's all a political game. The Muni isn't broke. That's fabricated. The Muni has put MILLIONS into surplus the past several years. Get educated Anchorage. You are being lied to.
113537656TVan said on Thursday, Feb 14 at 12:06 PM
People don't have a clue about why we have unions, if they weren't there everybody would be getting paid just like Wal-Mart and their great benefit packages.
113529005hugh noes said on Thursday, Feb 14 at 11:42 AM
I believe Mayor Sullivan doesn't really care about the local budget, but instead is posturing for a place on the Republican ticket for the Governor's seat in the future. This move is a mirroring of Wisconsin Governor's Scott Walker to eradicate unions and once done in Anchorage, he would move the same game to Juneau and forward the action on a state-wide level. All Union members across the state should be concerned, as well as anyone who is concerned with any increase in pay they might expect to see in the near future. Next will come the right to work effort where anyone can bid for your job as long as they will work for less pay.
113526761Raven33 said on Thursday, Feb 14 at 11:39 AM
Of course the Assembly is split on this. Since when does any vote get 100% support? Get rid of the liberals and replace them with conservatives and we'll have 100% on this proposal too!
113526511easy money said on Thursday, Feb 14 at 8:41 AM
I don't think anyone is over compensated. I just do not think I can afford to pay any more in taxes. Until I get the same benefits as city workers, I do not think I should increase their compensation since my loss is their gain.
113510285thomas rehard said on Thursday, Feb 14 at 5:03 AM
remember how the jobs went south to help.? the cost of cars did not go down. but more people could not buy them. yes the city pays well. and wiyhout the union the pay WILL BE LESS, but your TAXES WILL NOT GO DOWN BUT RISE.
113492871Gee said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 11:25 PM
I agree!!!
113481071grey worlley said on Wednesday, Feb 13 at 9:26 PM
i think that all city and municipal employees are overly compensated as it stands now
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