Assembly Hears First Public Testimony on Union Ordinance

The Anchorage Assembly faced a long line of people and lots of complaints Wednesday night regarding Ordinance 37, Mayor Dan Sullivan’s proposed move to restrict city unions’ power.

Wednesday’s meeting was specially scheduled as the Assembly’s first public hearing on the ordinance. Hundreds of city employees and local residents packed the Assembly chambers at the Loussac Library to voice their concerns about the measure, many of them regarding the nature of its creation.

“Developing good law is developed openly in front of everybody -- and this was done in a secret fashion,” said municipal building inspector Mark Barnhill. “It's introduced honestly -- and this was snuck in at the last minute. It's detailed accurately -- and this is vague as it could be.”

Sullivan’s ordinance would eliminate the right for municipal unions to strike, prohibit binding arbitration and encourage managed competition.

"It's a bit controversial,” Sullivan said. “But you've got to keep in mind, we respect collective bargaining, we have made no attempts to eliminate that; this is not Michigan or Wisconsin. We anticipate this will give us good guidance on all the contracts -- they're all up for renewal over the next two years -- so it's very important we have this guidance from the Assembly in advance of negotiating those."

Officials expect to continue to hear testimony during at least the next two Assembly meetings. A vote on the ordinance isn't expected before March 12.

Contact Blake Essig