As strike continues, ferry passengers stranded with Tustumena remaining docked in Kodiak

The largest union representing Alaska Marine Highway System workers voted to go on strike yesterday afternoon, effectively shutting down all state ferry service until further notice.

Across the state, members of the Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific walked off their vessels yesterday, including in Kodiak, where the M/V Tustumena is still docked. The Tusty was scheduled to leave Wednesday evening for Homer, but is still moored as of Thursday morning.

John and Donna Martin, a couple from Homer, found themselves stranded on the island with their car yesterday. “We came over because cause she wanted to see Kodiak. We didn’t know what was going to happen with the ferry system because of the governor’s action,” John told KMXT yesterday afternoon. “And evidently something else has come up! So we’re stuck here with a car.”

“If we didn’t have the car we would fly home,” Donna added. “We just found out about the strike, we don’t know what we’re going to do now except go try to find a motel room which is probably booked.”

 

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said they are “focused on the safety of passengers, crew and vessels.” DOT says they are reaching out to passengers to try to reschedule their sailings or refund their tickets. “We are working to return ships to safe harbor with adequate shore side support.”

Contract negotiations between IBU and the Dunleavy administration broke down Wednesday afternoon, according to Robb Arnold, vice chair of IBU’s board. Arnold told KMXT Thursday morning that the union actually hasn’t had a contract for the last three years. Instead they’ve been working under a series of interim agreements, but that also means they haven’t had any wage increases in that time.

Arnold says they’re currently seeking a three year contract with the state with a 3 percent raise each year. That 3 percent might seem steep, he says, but it’s to make up for the last few years of stagnant wages. Additionally, they’re looking to get the state to cover any increases to health insurance costs and and eliminate rules that pay out-of-state workers $4 less per hour than in-state workers. IBU represents more than 400 ferry system workers.

Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka released a statement on Wednesday evening calling on IBU to end the strike and return to the negotiating table. “The state did not want a work stoppage, nor does the State believe the strike is necessary to reach an agreement.” Tshibaka also wrote that the strike will only serve to harm coastal Alaskan communities.

There are two other unions representing AMHS workers. According to Arnold, while the others aren’t involved in the strike negotiations, both have opted to honor IBU’s picket line.

Update, July 25 at 6:00 pm:

According to Meadow Bailey, Special Assistant to the Commissioner at DOT, AMHS has already refunded fares for nearly 3,000 passengers and just over 700 vehicles. That’s a total of $1.2 million. There are an additional 4,500 passengers booked for the coming week that she says they’re working to refund. “It is a lot of money, it’s definitely a concern and it will be something we have to work through,” Bailey said Thursday evening.

This is a developing story. KMXT will have more updates as the strike progresses.