Dear GGU Member,

Yesterday the Alaska Legislature passed the FY 2016 Operating Budget which included language rejecting the 2.5% COLA that was to take effect July 1, 2015. The Union and the State agreed on the 2.5% increase for the final year of our current collective Bargaining Agreement.

Your Union and Governor Walker, along with the other state employee unions, have been working long and hard in an attempt to convince the majority organizations in the Alaska Legislature to honor the negotiated agreement. However, those in charge of the House and Senate decided to not honor our contract provision. We did have strong support from Governor Walker and all the Democrats and the one Independent who comprise the minority organizations in the House and Senate.

However, the battle is not yet over. Governor Walker immediately ordered the Legislature into a Special Legislative Session to consider a new operating and capital budget for FY 2016, Medicaid expansion, and other issues. In his letter to Alaskans dated April 27 Governor Walker specifically noted that the budget must be one that “honors union contracts”. It is clear that the honoring of the 2.5% COLA will be a major part of the debate during the consideration of the operating budget during the special session. Your Union will again be actively working with Governor Walker and the House and Senate advocating for approval of the 2.5% COLA.

It is not possible at this time to predict how long the special session may last nor the outcome. But be assured ASEA will do all possible to see that the negotiated contract is honored.

In Solidarity,