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Alaska Nautical Services is now an IBU
shop!
The workers for Alaska Nautical Services
have voted 10-2 to be represented by the IBU Alaska Region. Alaska
Nautical Services is run by the pilots in Southwest Alaska, who are
themselves members of the Masters Mates & Pilots (MM&P). The
new IBU members shuttle the pilots from Homer and Valdez to oil tankers.
The election was conducted by the NLRB, using a mail ballot, with
ballots counted on June 13th.
The workers approached the IBU
because of concerns about inconsistent policies, lack of job security
and low pay. The pilots elect a new board each year, with
resulting changes in policies from one year to the next. In
addition, the new IBU members are paid far less than IBU-represented
workers doing similar work in the Puget Sound.
Those Puget Sound workers sent a
strong letter of solidarity to their brothers and sisters in Alaska.
The Sailors Union of the Pacific (SUP), which represents pilots'
employees in the Bay Area, also sent a message of support.
The organizing was a joint effort by
the Puget Sound and Alaska Regions of the IBU, with assistance from the
International organizing department. Darryl Tseu, Alaska Regional
Director of the IBU, had primary responsibility, and has been working
with the new members to draft a proposed contract.
In solidarity,
Paul Bigman
ILWU International Organizer
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