Petersburg Assembly advances union wage money before members vote, rejecting a delay 3-3

The Petersburg Borough Assembly approved a budget ordinance carrying money for union wage increases on second reading Tuesday, Oct. 20, voting 5-1. Assembly Member Donna Marsh, sworn in that night, cast the no vote. Her motion to postpone the measure so union members could vote first failed 3-3.

The ordinance funds the borough's last, best and final offer to the Petersburg Municipal Employees Association. It adds about $246,000 for union wage increases, on top of a 2.5% increase already budgeted. Union members have not yet voted on the offer.

Molly Tybur, speaking for the association, asked the Assembly to wait for a membership vote. "We do not feel one side should be able to force anything on the other and call it an agreement," Tybur said. She said the borough lost eight experienced employees in 30 days this summer, police and dispatch have not had a job applicant in close to a year, and the library is closed for a week because of limited staffing. In June, Police Chief James Kerr told a borough advisory board his department had five openings and that he hoped the union and borough could increase wages, Alaska News reported.

Zane Browning, a borough wastewater employee speaking for himself, said the proper channel was arbitration and that the borough instead "has opted to force the contract that they prefer."

Borough staff said arbitration would be the next step but is not binding, and the Assembly has the final word. A staff member said a mediator found both sides bargained in good faith and that the borough is exercising rights provided under state law. Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht said the union has seen the offer for some time, and the Assembly has seen it in closed session three times.

Marsh's motion would have pushed the ordinance to Nov. 16. Assembly Member James Valentine said he saw no harm in waiting. He and Assembly Member Bob Martin voted with Marsh.

Assembly Member Jeff Meucci opposed the delay: "When we come up against the third reading, if we still need time, we can certainly postpone it under the third reading." Assembly Member Scott Newman also voted no, saying the Assembly still has to approve the contract itself. Mayor Bob Lynn, the third no, said the union has the next two weeks to vote.

Borough staff called the ordinance a placeholder. The Assembly still must vote separately on the union contract before it takes effect. The third and final reading is expected Nov. 2.