Alaska labor agency's repeal of union non-association rules takes effect Nov. 8

The Alaska Labor Relations Agency's repeal of three rules for public employees who object to union membership or fees takes effect Nov. 8. The rules cover an escrow account for disputed service fees, a religious exemption from union association and a process for objecting to service fees.

The agency calls the rules moot after the U.S. Supreme Court's Janus v. AFSCME decision, because employees may now decline union membership entirely, according to its public comment summary. Alaska News reported Oct. 11 that the state law requiring the religious exemption stays on the books. Public employees also keep a separate statutory right to organize, join or assist a collective-bargaining organization.

The repeal is part of a regulation-update project the agency began under Administrative Order 360, which aims to eliminate unnecessary rules, reduce burdens and streamline operations. The agency's 2025 annual report said it planned to bring a proposal to its board in January 2026. The agency published the proposed changes in August and took written comment through Sept. 18.

The board adopted the changes Oct. 2. The Department of Law approved them as to form and legality, and the lieutenant governor's office filed them Oct. 9, according to the filed permanent regulations. The agency does not expect the changes to need more state money.

The package also ends the requirement to send hard copies of documents already filed by fax or email, and drops the notary requirement for unfair labor practice complaints. Interest cards, which employees sign to back petitions to choose or remove a union, may be filed electronically. They are confidential records disclosed only to the agency and are not part of the public record.

The agency received one public question on the repeal, emailed Aug. 17, and answered it. A second question, by phone Aug. 10, concerned the confidentiality of interest cards.