Skagway’s railroad employees are debating whether they want to allow strikes.
The union of workers claims it wants wages that are in line with the rate of inflation, as well as affordable health insurance and no job losses. The conflict is taking place in the midst of a cruise season likely to be more popular than ever before this year. If the union isn’t able to come to an agreement on the issue with White Pass, a strike could result in major disruptions to one of Alaska’s Southeast’s most well-known tourist destinations.
Its style=”font-weight font-weight: 400 ;”>”More Than half those who travel through Skagway use the train,” said Mayor Andrew Cremata. “Skagway’s past is entwined with the railroad, therefore losing railroad operations will certainly have significant impact on the town. .”
The White Pass and Yukon Route extends from Skagway through the Canadian Yukon Territory. It’s the most prestigious company in the private sector of Skagway.
Jason Guiler chairs SMART Transportation Division Local 1626, which is the representative of the 27 Alaska-based conductors, engineers, and brakemen employed by White Pass. Guiler said he’s concerned about permanent cuts to the brakeman posts, which is one of the three employees who are on trains at any given time and the person who handles the brakes. The union sees this as a safety issue.
“Having three passengers on trains is essential when you’re taking 600 or more passengers on the train,” he said.
Guiler stated that the previous contract expired in 2017 as did the wages and health cost are among the major concerns for the union when they negotiate a new contract.
If the union decides to allow a strike, it would not happen immediately. The mediator at the national level would need to remove the workers from mediation. The mediator would then provide both the union as well as the business the opportunity of having an arbitrator examine the situation and come to an agreement. If neither party accepts the arbitration offer the dispute, then a strike may occur thirty days later.
White Pass is owned by an investment group which comprises The Carnival Corporation and Ketchikan-based Survey Point Holdings.
“span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”White Pass and Yukon Route is committed to seeking a resolution to these negotiations to the benefit of all parties,” the railroad’s Executive Director Tyler Rose said. “However we don’t consider it appropriate to provide further information to the media about the mediation process in this point. .”
Cremata said he hoped White Pass executives realize the importance of their employees in keeping passengers secure on and off trains.
It’s a style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”If you’re in Skagway during a busy time – which happens all the time in summer, the trains pass through easements that run across the city and lots of people are moving between them,” he said. “A large portion of them are down on their phones, or taking pictures without paying attention and I’m worried about their safety .”
Guiler declined to provide details about the wage hikes that both parties have proposed however, he did say that the union acknowledged the loss in profits of the company due to the pandemic. He added that they are “strictly trying to” raise wages to keep pace with the rising cost of living.
Cremata explained that it’s crucial for Skagway residents.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”It’s expensive to live in this area,” he said. “In the past couple of years, I’ve witnessed prices at the supermarket increase by at least a third. It is a concern for my heart to consider that the people living in this area might not be able to afford living in this particular community for any longer .”
Union members are allowed to vote for three days. They’ll meet with representatives from the company and an arbitrator on Friday morning.
“From there I’m hoping that the mediation session will go in an upward direction to aid in bringing us and the business together,” Guiler said.
Cremata said that the tourist season is doing well thus far. he is hopeful White Pass and its workers will be able to reach a deal soon.
Its style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”The effects to White Pass from a strike are certain to be devastating,” he said. “But the effects of people working in this area and not earning fair wages also has an impact on the community. .”
