Ferry strike fallout
Southeast leaders say coastal communities in the region weathered the nine-day strike by state ferry worker in late July surprisingly well due to private marine and air operators stepping in quickly to aid ferry passengers. Alaska Fjordlines and Alaska Seaplanes helped people get to Haines’ state fair and barge operators moved stranded vehicles. There was a cost, however: 8,456 cancelled ferry reservations that required $3.25 million in refunds. Also, air and private boat service to Haines from Juneau was costly for passengers at about $135 one-way by air or sea compared with $58 on the state ferry. Food stores and other retailers in the region, affected by the strike and now wary of the ferry system’s erratic schedules are now relying more on barge service, like Alaska Marine Lines.

However, regional leaders now worry that the success of private operators stepping in may encourage the state administration to cut the ferry system’s budget more next year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy had proposed tying up the vessels for the winter but legislators, particularly Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, persuaded him to allow a sharply pared-down winter schedule. Even with that, the ferry system is hit with a 33 percent reduction in state funds this year, the single biggest reduction for any state entity. The governor had proposed a 41 percent cut for the University of Alaska but later backed off to allow reductions over three years.

The strike ended with a new three-year agreement for ferry workers with 1.5 percent wage increases in the second and third years along with improvements in benefits.