FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 25, 2019
Contact: Jake Metcalfe, (907) 277-5200

ASEA Countersues Dunleavy Administration

On Wednesday, September 25, 2019 the Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA) responded to a lawsuit filed last week by the State of Alaska against ASEA in Superior Court. The union asserted counterclaims against the state by bringing suit against Governor Dunleavy and other members of his administration challenging the implementation of a recent Attorney General opinion that egregiously misinterprets the law and interferes with ASEA members’ rights.

At issue is a recent reinterpretation (or misinterpretation) by Dunleavy Attorney General Kevin Clarkson of the 2018 US Supreme Court decision known as Janus v AFSCME. The Dunleavy Administration has taken steps to implement the AG’s reinterpretation. In so doing, the administration has already violated Alaska law and the state’s current collective bargaining agreement with ASEA by changing union member dues deduction procedures, spreading misinformation to our members, and interfering with the relationship between our union and our membership.

“ASEA responds to the Dunleavy Administration’s lawsuit and brings our own claims against the administration today on behalf of the hard working men and women who keep Alaska strong. Rest assured, ASEA members will stick together to resist this extremist attack on their First Amendment rights. The administration has violated the contract it signed in August, it is violating our state law and the Governor is threatening the freedom of state employees to come together as a union,” said Jake Metcalfe, Executive Director or ASEA/AFSCME Local 52.

Jake Metcalfe will be reachable for comment on Wednesday, September 25 at (907) 277-5200.

pdf Press Release--ASEA Countersues Dunleavy Administration (Sep. 25, 2019) (239 KB)

pdf ASEA Answer to Original Complaint--Sep. 25, 2019 (777 KB)

pdf ASEA Counterclaims & Third Party Complaint--Sep. 25, 2019 (1.69 MB)

pdf ASEA Motion for TRO and Preliminary Injunction--Sep. 25, 2019 (2.36 MB)

pdf Order re: Motion for TRO and Order to Show Cause--Sep. 25, 2019 (206 KB)

pdf Order re: Preliminary Injunction--Sep. 25, 2019 (371 KB)