ASEA/AFSCME Local 52 • 626 F Street, Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone (907) 277-5200 • Fax (907) 277-5206 E-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  • Website: http://www.afscmelocal52.org

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: March 20, 2004
Point of contact: ASEA Business Manager Jim Duncan, (907) 277-5200

MURKOWSKI ADMINISTRATION DISTORTS FACTS OF COMPLAINT TO DISTRACT FROM NEGOTIATIONS

Juneau, AK - State employee contract negotiations lead by Jim Duncan, Business Manager of the Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA), have warranted the attention of Gov. Murkowski, according to a press release issued Friday, March 19 from the governor's office.

"My efforts to represent some 8,000 state employees in the role of chief negotiator have been singled out by the administration for no constructive purpose," said Jim Duncan. "It only serves to distract from the state's failure to bargain in good faith."

Duncan, a former Senator from Juneau, was cited in the press release as filing an unfair labor practice (ULP) complaint relating to the location of labor negotiations. ASEA represents the general government unit (GGU), approximately one-half of the state workforce.

On March 19, the Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA) found probable cause that the state committed a ULP by restricting negotiations to Juneau. "The assertions of the governor and his administration are a manipulation of facts of which they are well aware," Duncan said. "The ASEA contract bargaining team has always held that the state and the union should share the financial burden of negotiations fairly. The financial burden should not rest on the union alone."

"Further, it is an obligation to our membership to offer as much access to the negotiation process as possible. Bargaining sessions have been held in Anchorage in the past, as well as in Juneau," said Duncan. ASEA headquarters is located in Anchorage, where approximately one-half of GGU members live and work.

"I recognize and support Juneau as Alaska's Capital City and I have not advocated moving jobs from Juneau. However, I believe it is critical to take government to the people," Duncan said. "The obligation of the ASEA bargaining team to its membership is not an endorsement of one community over another."

"Limiting bargaining sessions only to Juneau ignores fairness and past practice. To imply otherwise and in such a manner is a heavy-handed departure from the truth," said Duncan. "The Murkowski Administration has inserted politics into the bargaining process to avoid delivering on a fair contract with ASEA."

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Press contact: Reber Stein, ASEA Information Officer, (907) 463-4978, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it