Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/8/2025
APEA/AFT Joins ASEA in Suit to Compel Release of Statewide Salary Study
Alaska’s two largest public employee unions seek to compel the Dunleavy Administration to turn over salary data
Anchorage – On Monday, the Alaska Public Employees Association (APEA/AFT) joined the lawsuit filed by the Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA) AFSCME Local 52 in February against the Dunleavy Administration to compel release of the $1 million study. The Administration has thus far refused to turn over the study, despite numerous public records requests.
During oral arguments in early March, ASEA learned the State has nine drafts of the study in its possession. The Court has not yet issued its decision. “The law prohibits public officials, like the Governor, from hiding public information such as this salary study,” said APEA/AFT Business Manager Jeff Kasper, “Our members are impacted as much as ASEA members by the chronic understaffing brought on by low wages and lack of a pension plan.”
“We welcome the solidarity and support of our union siblings at APEA in our effort to demand transparency and accountability from this Administration,” said ASEA/AFSCME Local 52 Executive Director Heidi Drygas, “The Administration offers no credible legal justification to keep this type of critical information from the public. We hope the Court agrees.”
Together, APEA/AFT and ASEA/AFSCME Local 52 represent more than 10,000 hardworking public employees working for the State of Alaska. APEA and ASEA members work together to ensure that Alaskans receive the critical public services they rely on every day.
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Salary Study Lawsuit & Timeline:
- October 2023: State of Alaska issues request for proposals
- June 2024: Original date Salary Study due from Contractor to Administration
- February 11, 2025: ASEA files Preliminary Injunction urging release of the study
- March 5, 2025: Oral Arguments heard by Judge Wheeles in Anchorage Superior Court, after granting expedited consideration
- March 31, 2025: Date Department of Administration officials gave to Administration officials and Legislators for release of the study
- April 2, 2025: HR 5 introduced by House State Affairs Committee urging release of the study
- April 7, 2025: APEA/AFT joins as a plaintiff in salary study lawsuit
TAGS: Salary study; public employees; ASEA; AFSCME; recruitment; retention; wages
pdf Press Release--APEA/AFT Joins ASEA Salary Study Suit (Apr. 8, 2025)(228 KB)
pdf Press Release--ASEA Files Suit to Compel Release of Salary Study (Feb. 11, 2025)(223 KB)
pdf Alaska Superior Court Filing for Release of SOA Salary Study (Feb. 11, 2025)(3.84 MB)