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The potential shutdown has been averted! After the incredible stress that was caused by this uncertainty, this news should come as great relief for all the dedicated employees that were preparing to be laid off or furloughed. While this comes as good news, it should never have gotten to this point. The work you do is critical and should never be treated as a bargaining chip.

Rallies were planned and a vote of our membership was organized to make sure state GGU employees could have a say in their future should a shutdown occur. Fortunately, with the vote in the House on Monday and transmission of the operating budget sent to the governor, the vote on the Furlough LOA is no longer needed, and ballots will not be tallied. On Monday, June 28, the Alaska House of Representatives voted to enact the July 1 effective date to ensure a government shutdown is averted at the start of the fiscal year on July 1. Anyone that is interested in viewing or listening to that floor session may watch it on KTOO/Gavel Alaska. For those that feel inclined, I’d encourage you to contact your Representatives to thank them for voting to keep Alaska open. Make sure to contact them on your personal time and on your personal devices. You can see how your representative voted by visiting akleg.gov

This event generated a lot of interest in the language that affects all members of the GGU. With negotiations on your GGU Contract coming this fall, your input and your voice needs to carry forward as the upcoming contract negotiations will be equally as important. It is you, the members of ASEA that decide your wages, hours, and working conditions. I want to thank all of our new ASEA members for standing in solidarity with ASEA and for your willingness to participate when your voice was most needed.

This experience also generated interest in staying in touch with ASEA shall events such as this disrupt or impact dedicated state employees in the future. I want to encourage members to make sure your contact information is up to date. Please consider updating your contact information using the form below: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-to-stay-in-contact

Thank you, again, for showing up, for participating, and for being engaged during this most stressful time. Please continue to keep a lookout for information from your contract negotiations committee as that process moves forward. You can text GGUCNC to 237-263 to receive contract negotiation updates.

You all make Alaska happen. During this process, we heard testimony from all industries sharing how important your work is for their work to continue. I think this message was received and am glad we can all breathe a sigh of relief that the incredible work you do can continue on July 1, without interruption.

If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact ASEA.

In Solidarity,

Jake Metcalfe
Executive Director
ASEA/AFSCME Local 52