Dear GGU Member:

I am receiving many questions regarding the Contract Negotiation Committee’s declaration of impasse, the Alaska Labor Relations Agency hearing on the question of impasse, and the recent action by the Executive Board to authorize strike preparation activities. Following is a summary of the current status of these issues:

1. The CNC declared impasse on March 12 because we were not able to reach agreement with the state on wages, the amount of the employer’s health insurance contribution, workweek, union security, and 17 other articles. The CNC did not take this step lightly but did so because of the State’s hard line position and unwillingness to move off of their initial proposals on these articles. The State also refused to give us the same “deal” that they agreed to with the troopers, correctional officers or Local 71. Even if we would have accepted the wage package that other state employee unions had agreed to (which the CNC finds unacceptable), the State still wanted to make regressive changes to other articles in our contract. They did not require that any other major changes be made in other contracts.

In January and February the CNC requested the assistance of a federal mediator to help resolve the contract issues. During the 1999-2000 negotiations and the 2003 negotiations a mediator was involved and the result was the parties agreed to a contract. However, this year the State has refused to agree to mediation. As a result the CNC had to either agree to the state’s regressive proposals or declare impasse.

You can review the specifics of the proposal by viewing the document “4 reasons why the State’s proposals are unacceptable” and the bargaining updates which are on this site.

2. The Alaska Labor Relations Agency conducted a hearing on April 6, 7, 8, & 9 to determine if the state and union are at impasse. A 3 person-hearing panel was appointed by ALRA, however, only 1 member of the panel attended all 4 days. One member attended 2 days and one listened by teleconference for approximately 3 hours. The members of the panel will listen to the tape of the hearing, review the closing briefs, which are due on April 19, and then issue a decision. We do not know how soon they will issue their decision.

We believe we should win on the merits of the issue but cannot prejudge how the panel will rule. If ALRA finds we are at impasse they will assign a federal mediator and we will return to the table as soon as possible. If ALRA rules we are not at impasse we will return to the table as soon as possible without the assistance of a mediator. We have informed the state and ALRA that we have submitted our “bottom line” proposals. So if ALRA finds we are not at impasse it is our position that the state will have to offer significant changes in their proposals or we will again petition ALRA that we are at impasse.

The CNC recognizes that their greatest responsibility is to do everything possible to get a fair contract for the membership. With that in mind the CNC authorized Business Agent Mike Robbins to offer a settlement to the State on the ALRA hearing. The goal was to get back to the table with the state next week to continue negotiations because of the urgency to have a contract to submit to the legislature before they adjourn. Following is a copy of Mike Robbins e-mail with the settlement offer and the state’s reply;

-----Original Message-----
From: arthur chance [mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ]
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 11:08 AM
To: Mike Robbins
Cc: 'bill milks'; Jardell, Kevin
Subject: Re: Settlement Offer on ALRA proceeding

Nuts!

Mike Robbins wrote:

> Bill,
>
>
>
> The union proposes to the state that we will withdraw our
> declaration of impasse. At the same time the state will withdraw
> their ULPs. The parties will return to the table the week of April
> 19th. The Chief Spokespersons for the Union and the State will
> determine the schedule.
>
>
>
> The union's ULP on location will remain before ALRA.
>
>
>
> Mike Robbins
>

As you can see the one word reply from Art Chance, Director of Labor Relations clearly shows the state’s unwillingness to compromise and attempt to reach an agreement with the Union. This is the same attitude that made it impossible to make progress at the bargaining table and why we made 2 separate requests for mediation.

3. Responding to a request of the contract negotiating committee, the State Executive Board authorized preparation for a strike vote. The strike committee, comprised of the State E-Board, Chapter Presidents, and CNC members, will be putting that plan in place during the next couple of weeks. The date of the vote and the scheduling of a strike, if authorized by the membership, will be determined by the strike committee.

Again, this step was not taken lightly. We would prefer to use mediation to resolve our differences but the state refuses to go to mediation. It is obvious that we are going to need the unity and strength of our membership if we are to get a fair contract from this administration.

Please check the website frequently for updates on these issues. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Jim Duncan
Business Manager
ASEA/AFSCME Local 52