On Wednesday, April 1 (not an April fool’s joke), the Senate Finance Subcommittee put forward an amendment to the State Operating Budget. The amendment, linked below, would essentially “not fund” the monetary terms of any of the State’s 14 bargaining agreements for fiscal year 2016. What this would translate to is a State-wide wage freeze for all State employees starting July 1, 2016.
The new amendment/s were not in the House or Senate version of the operating budget until its surprise appearance this morning in the Senate Finance Committee. Its passage is not assured but it is obviously very concerning to all State employees.
We will keep everyone informed as this amendment moves through the process and let you know if there is anything you can do to help. As always, reach out to us if you have any questions.
The discussion on this amendment begins at 15:20 of the video below
http://www.360north.org/gavel-archives/?event_id=2147483647_2015041015
Below is a link to the actual bill language
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_documents.asp?session=29&docid=6025
Alaska Dispatch News Article on this Amendment
http://www.adn.com/article/20150401/senate-committee-wants-kill-cost-living-hike-state-employees
