Judge rules against union, favoring city
February 11, 2012
ANCHORAGE, Alaska: Judge Alex Swiderski ruled against the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 367 last week, favoring the city of Anchorage. The union, representing 130 workers, was battling for a $3-per-hour raise across the board for its workers.[1]
Judge Swiderski ruled that the union is prohibited from striking for the duration of the contract, which extends from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013. The ruling also means that the city can now impose its final offer on the workers. The final offer was a 2.5 percent pay raise retroactive to last July 1, 2011 and they would receive another 2.5 percent raise beginning July 1, 2012. A service recognition program, which awarded longer working workers, was also discontinued.[1]
- "We are pleased with the judge's decision. His ruling clearly establishes that our position is the correct interpretation of the code, which is that the Assembly's rejection of the arbitrator's decision allows us to impose our last best offer or continue negotiating."[1] -Mayor Dan Sullivan
Had the Union won the case, the workers would have retained the service recognition program and received a $3-per-hour increase in 2011, and an increase of 2.5% to 3.9% in 2012.[1]
- "I think this judge reached the wrong decision," and "he pretty much ignored the fact that the employees either have the right to strike, or they have interest arbitration."[1] -Union attorney Chuck Dunnagan
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