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Public Packs Assembly Chambers Over Union OrdinanceResidents criticized mayor's 'secretive process' in creating the ordinanceRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - For the first time since Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan filed his proposal to overhaul the city’s labor laws, the public was invited to weigh in.
They recited bible verses, quoted Assembly members’ own words back to them and one even threatened to have a heart attack due to what they feel is a lack of respect from the mayor. “We got called on an assault and there is a young mother with a knife in her back, and there is her baby laying there in a car seat covered in her mother's blood screaming, and we got to figure out how we are going to deal with it. And this is the respect we get,” said Jim Stewart. He’s been an Anchorage fire fighter for 28 years. Stewart went on to question the respect his friend Bill is getting out of the proposed ordinance. “I think of my friend Bill laying there in the hospital after a room collapsed on him and his crew pulled it up and saved his life. And this is the respect he gets,” he told the Assembly. Jennifer McKinnon, wife of an Anchorage police officer, testified about how her family would be hurt if the ordinance passed. She said, “Will it be the call I fear the most, the knock at the door with officers standing in front of me telling me that some thug shot and killed my husband, my soul mate, my child’s father? How many of you would like to take my place?” It wasn’t just the personal impacts the Assembly heard about; some even testified about the political impacts. “It’s very poorly written; I think even the mayor would agree with that, and this ordinance is completely political,” said Francis McGlaughlin. Supporters of the ordinance (AO-37) say it would put all the city’s unions on the same page with holidays and benefits. It was hard to find anyone who supported AO-37 Wednesday night -- almost all of the testimony was in opposition. The Assembly will take up the issue again next Friday during its work session starting at 10 a.m. A possible vote on AO-37 could happen on March 12.
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Henry O. said on Thursday, Feb 28 at 10:45 AM
Gripping and thought-provoking testimony from those putting their lives on the line daily all around Anchorage. Individuals willing and able to provide public services and 24/7 safety to our community, should always be entitled to fair and adequate compensation. Mr. Sullivans proposed policies seem as flawed as his character, while his sense of ethics appears to be as thin as his upper lip.
114833062Clarence said on Thursday, Feb 28 at 11:20 AM
Wow, could not help but notice the utter lack of an opposing viewpoint here. No surprise coming from the media, are you sure there was no one at the meeting opposing the union's point of view?
114836851JIm said on Thursday, Feb 28 at 5:31 PM
In response to Clarence, I was at the meeting for 5 hours and there was only one person who didn't testify against this ordinance, and even he wasn't really supporting it, but rather was opposed to "side letters" between unions and administration.
114866022Quit said on Thursday, Feb 28 at 7:18 PM
The fire fighters should all quit. Stewy first.
114871765Raven33 said on Thursday, Feb 28 at 7:46 PM
I support the Mayor 100% and I am under union rules in my workplace. At 30% dues paying membership, the only way I'll join the union is to get the other 70% to join too so we can vote the union out!
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