Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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Senate Takes On Oil JobsThursday, the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on the number of non-resident workers at North Slop oil fields, a number some senators called “hard to believe.”Related Content
Thursday, members of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on the number of non-resident workers at North Slop oil fields. Some senators called the figures “hard to believe.” Even with near-record numbers of North Slope employees, an estimated 14,000 newly created jobs have gone to workers from outside Alaska. Major North Slope producers reported nearly 90 percent of jobs went to Alaska residents. Claire Fitzpatrick, chief financial officer for BP Alaska, said her company makes it a priority to hire Alaskans.
“We will always hire the best candidate for the job, but our preference is to hire qualified Alaskans,” Fitzpatrick said. “We believe we have a record that backs that up.”
But contractors and subcontractors describe a different situation: some companies reported no Alaskans at all on their payroll.
Approximately 3,000 current North Slope workers are non-residents, and Sen. Joe Paskvan said he doesn’t believe it’s for lack of qualified Alaskans.
“That’s ultimately, I think, why we’re here,” said the Fairbanks Democrat. “We have 3,000 jobs that aren’t going to feed Alaskan families, aren’t going to pay Alaskan mortgages, that are flying over our heads and out of this state.”
The discussion on oil field jobs and tax issues is expected to continue into the next legislative session.
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Anonymous said on Sunday, Sep 11 at 5:20 PM
I would like to see a photograph of an actual check written to the State of Alaska. Who out there believes those checks are, instead going to politicians?
73678381jjj said on Sunday, Sep 11 at 9:50 AM
It's a free country???? what country are you talking about? AMERIKA is no longer a free country, or are you soooo blind you haven't seen the changes?
73668099boondogle said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 9:17 PM
Its a free country. People can work and live wherever they want.
73654786yukonjeff said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 8:44 PM
this has been going on for many years,you can see them all lined up at the airport every day waiting for the flight north. many people out here in the villages would love to have a slope job,but they just aint hiring,and never see an advertisment for jobs on the slope out this way..I bet if I moved to Texas I could get on.
73654183mooseman said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 6:57 PM
Hire Alaskan first. Slope has always been a good ole boys club. Time to put Alaskans to work!!!
73651381David said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 6:00 PM
I came to Alaska in '79. Worked on the Slope for 18 years. I am now a reverse commuter and bring the money to Alaska. Should I have to fired from down south and be forced to go back to the Slope. I hope NOT!!
73649799yep said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 5:25 PM
ASRC hires a lot of out of state workers cheap, not always safe, just so they can undercut the safe companies that BP says they want. BP should care about safety as much as the bottom line, they talk a good game, but look at their lowest bidder record and the work that low bid gets. Alaskans might not be able to fill all the slots, but a heck of a lot more than the contractors recruit now.
73648929Qualified said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 3:56 PM
Does anyone realize how much it costs for downtime on a rig on the North Slope? It is literally hundreds of thousands a day. Unqualified and untrained people cost the oil companies big time. I am positive the oil companies hire as many qualified Alaskans as possible. Another thought: there are literally tens of thousands of highly trained and qualified Americans in the oil industry working in countries outside the US. Should they all be expelled from the places they work because they are the right people for the job?
73647131jjj said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 10:39 AM
WE NEED TO MAKE THESE PEOPLE FEEL UNWELCOMED HERE! NON-RESIDENTS NEED TO GO HOME! PENALIZE THE TREASONOUS COMPANIES THAT ARE SCREWING ALASKA! IF WE CONTINUE TO LET THIS HAPPEN IT CAN ONLY GET WORSE! COME ON ALASKA GROW A SACK!
73640594j said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 9:45 AM
a lot of my co-workers lived in Alaska when they got up on the slope and moved south shortly after. Do you fire them for wanting to live somewhere else. I think the bonus that BP gives for employees that stay in alaska keeps a few workers around, maybee the contractors should start offering the same incentives.
73639247Andrew said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 8:34 AM
My buddie got a job up there so theres one!
73637394oilfield Bob said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 5:44 AM
In 2009 at a safety meeting, a CH2M Hill Supervisor told us that 75% of CH2M Hills employees at Prudhoe Bay lived out of state!!! It's B.S. because THERE IS qualified help living in Alaska but they don't want to hire us. I've been trying to get back to the Slope for 2 years and no luck although I'm qualified for many of the positions!
73632471chevelles said on Friday, Sep 9 at 11:44 PM
The slope is FBI....FRIENDA, BROTHERS, INLAWS. BP needs to hire instate along with Peak, CH2MHILL etc. I know several Alaskans that can not get jobs because they are not good old boys
73627267Proud Working American said on Friday, Sep 9 at 7:38 PM
Is Alaska one of the 50 Uninted States? Yes thought so! Maybe you guys should remember that. Equal Oportunity for all. And last anyone that would wish another tax on a working man or woman should think twice.
73623283Greg An Alaskan said on Friday, Sep 9 at 3:17 PM
It's about darn time....I have worked in the oil patch and seen it, it turns my stomach that it has been allowed to go on as long as it has. These people just stop in Anchorage to change planes and go south. A simple tool pusher lives outa state. GEEEESUSSS!!!!!
73615638al askan said on Friday, Sep 9 at 1:52 PM
Most of the people I know that live out of state are people that still maintain a residence here so they can draw a PFD.If you don't believe me check the payroll for ASRC,Udelhoven and Ch2m Chump
73613093No Fool said on Friday, Sep 9 at 11:22 AM
this is so easy to take care of. State income tax and if you live in the state you get 100% of it back at PFD time. done NEXT!!!!!!!
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