Legislature considers nixing cost of living for ferry vessel employees

A bill being considered in the State Senate could impact local ferry workers.

Senate Bill 182 amends Alaska State law pertaining to bargaining rights to eliminate what is known as a cost-of-living differential. This provision of contracts allows for salaries to be automatically adjusted to match the cost of living of a certain area. For individual employees, this can amount to as much as $4 per hour, or roughly $8,320 per year for, in particular, Alaska Marine Highway System employees, who are currently bargaining with the state for a new contract.

State Sen. Fred Dyson (R – Eagle River) propo...