Our thanks to the Alaska Landmine for hosting the recent Town Hall the same day as our General Membership Meeting so that we could all participate immediately after the meeting. Local 71 Business Manager, Jordan Adams and President Phil Petrie were joined by members, staff, and officers of Public Employees LIUNA Local 71 featuring the need for fair wages and benefits to retain and attract skilled workers to keep Alaska moving for safety and commerce.

You can watch the video at this link.

Our testimony starts about half way though the video after the break, and we are invited to answer questions later in the meeting. Thanks to our officers, Business Manager, Jordan Adams; President, Phil Petrie; Vice President, Brian Lashinski; Board Members, Billy Mears, Cathy Robbins, Kyle Perry, staff Tracy Smith and Josh Wammock, and our stewards and members who turned out in support and testified at the meeting. Thanks also to the members of LIUNA Local 341 and the Alaska Teamsters 959 who stood with us in solidarity at the meeting.

Below: Local 71 officers and members listen at the town hall displaying signs supporting fair wages to fill vacant positions.

We used our time after the meeting to continue our productive discussions with Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson.

Below: L to R, LIUNA Local 71 Business Manager Jordan Adams, Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, and Local 71 President Phil Petrie discuss solutions after the meeting.

Below: Board Member & Business Representative on the MOA Negotiations Team, Billy Mears, shakes hands with Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson with LIUNA Local 71 business Manager, Jordan Adams looking on.

Increased wages will be an important issue as we have told the State of Alaska begin contract negotiations this winter. We hope to see increases contained in the Governor's Budget which is scheduled to be released to the public on December 15th. Let your legislators know that the defined benefits pension contained in SB 88 is part of fair wages and benefits that are needed to get this work done.

What can YOU do?

As we enter into negotiations with the State of Alaska and Municipality of Anchorage, pay attention to your union communications. Attend your union meetings. Ask your Steward and Business Rep for updates. Stand together with your union in one voice to tell your employer what you need to see in our next contract.