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
Former ILWU International Organizer