April 16, 2004
Friday

Juneau, AK - The Murkowski administration announced Thursday that the tentative agreement recently reached with Public Employees Local 71 has been ratified by the union membership. The new agreement provides for status quo in the first year and two percent general increases in the second and third years of a two and one-half year agreement that expires December 31, 2006. The agreement is pending approval by the Legislature.

Local 71 represents approximately 1,500 state employees in the Labor, Trades, and Crafts bargaining unit. These employees are responsible for maintaining and operating state facilities, roads, docks, and airports.

Acting Administration Commissioner Ray Matiashowski said, "The employees represented by Local 71 provide some of the state's most vital services. We are pleased that we could reach an agreement that met their needs and that recognized the state's fiscal situation. We look forward to two and a half years of a continuing stable and productive relationship with Local 71."

Deputy Commissioner Kevin Jardell said, "The Local 71 agreement, while complex, is one of the most settled and stable agreements covering state employees. Since it really didn't need much tweaking, we were able to focus on maintaining health insurance coverage and developing a mutually acceptable economic package."

Source of News Release:

Office of the Governor
Web Site

 

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