Anchorage tells Assembly it is optimistic Teamsters talks will yield a new contract

Mayor Suzanne LaFrance's administration told the Anchorage Assembly it is optimistic that talks with Teamsters Local 959 will lead to a new labor contract. The status report, filed under city code, goes before the Assembly at its Wednesday, Nov. 4 meeting.

The 2023-2026 labor contract covers city Teamsters in the Public Transportation and Solid Waste departments, from bus operators to refuse collection crews. It took effect Oct. 10, 2023, and gave raises of 3.3% in 2023 and again each January in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

That agreement runs through Dec. 31. The administration said it stays in force until a new one is reached and approved, or until all impasse procedures are completed.

The administration gave the Assembly notice of the coming negotiations at its June 23 meeting, to allow the Assembly to weigh in on policy and direction for the talks. Bargaining began Aug. 17, as Alaska News reported Aug. 18.

The two-paragraph report does not describe the issues under negotiation or the union's positions.

Any new agreement will need Assembly approval before it takes effect. Under the current contract, that approval came after ratification by the union's members.