Borough Prepares Public for Union Strike
Press Release:
Borough Prepares Public for Union Strike
June 18, 2017
Media contact: Carol Rushmore, Interim Borough Manager
The City and Borough of Wrangell has been renegotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the IBEW Union since 2014. This comprises non managerial employees in Public Works, Water, Sewer, Sanitation, Garage, Ports and Harbors, Electric, and Parks and Recreation pool maintenance. On June 8, 2017, the Union presented its last offer to the Assembly. The Assembly accepted all but one portion of the Union offer. On June 9, 2017, as directed by the Assembly, the Borough made a counter offer to the Union. The Union rejected that offer and advised it would not make any further offers to the Borough. The Union advised that it would vote to either accept the Borough’s last offer or strike.
According to Assembly members contacted by Union employees, the local municipal Union members voted to strike. All businesses and residents of Wrangell are encouraged to prepare for a strike which could occur in the coming days. Borough staff have been meeting to formulate plans and develop contingencies directed at continuing basic city operations in the event of a strike. There is no doubt that there will be disruptions to some services, but we will do what we can reasonably do to continue necessary public services, including the delivery of water, sewer and electricity.
The IBEW Union has not yet officially informed the Borough of the vote to strike. If an official notice of strike is received from the Union, below is what the Wrangell public might expect.
The Borough will communicate with the public in a variety of ways to provide service information. The Borough’s Facebook page, website (Wrangell.com) and KSTK radio will be the most expeditious media formats we will use to provide information to the public.
The following is a list of Borough services that could initially be suspended and reduced.
Services that would be suspended:
- Curbside garbage collection will be suspended during the strike. Residents are recommended to transport their garbage to the solid waste transfer station for disposal. Commercial users must also transport their garbage and are advised to consider not using their large dumpsters.
- Water, sewer and electrical service connections and utility shut off/turn on services, unless in emergency situations.
- Roadside grass-cutting.
- Street sweeping
Services that could be delayed or reduced:
- Electrical meter reading may be extended beyond the normal monthly reading schedule. Customers should prepare for receiving a larger utility bill later in the season. Please plan accordingly or pay the amount equivalent to your last bill to remain as current as possible.
- Roadway and sidewalk maintenance.
- Public facilities’ maintenance.
- Building permits and building inspections may be delayed.
- Cemetery services
- Ports and harbor services
- Marine vessel haul out services
- Zoning permit approvals
Services that would continue (at least initially):
- Electrical generation and distribution should be able to continue, however, should major equipment fail, there could be black-out periods.
- Water treatment and distribution should be able to continue; however, should major equipment fail, water distribution service may be threatened.
- Sewer treatment and collection should be able to continue; however, should major equipment fail, sewer collection service may be threatened.
- Library services
- Swimming Pool and Recreation Center services
- Parks and Trails
- Nolan Center Convention Center and Museum
- Fire Department and EMT services (provided vehicles are mechanically sound to operate)
- City Hall customer services
Please be prepared. If you are affected by the list of services that would be suspended or reduced, in the event of a strike, we encourage you to seek the help of family and friends in making alternative arrangements, as needed.
Please remember that the City is accepting applications for temporary workers. Please go to http://www.wrangell.com/jobs for the employment application.
It is the right of unionized workers to strike. It is also the responsibility of Borough management to make agreements that are sustainable in the current economy. In light of the current fiscal constraints that the state is experiencing, the Borough must responsibly plan for more expenses to be shifted by the state onto local municipalities. The Borough must balance the compensation demands of the Union with what the Borough can economically sustain for the future of the community.
Thank you for your patience. Please visit www.wrangell.com for updates or call City Hall at 907-874-2381 if you need more information.
