Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2002-08-14 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2002-08-14 House Journal Page 4076 HB 504 The following letter, dated July 1, 2002, was received: "Dear Speaker Porter: Under the authority of art. II, sec. 15, of the Alaska Constitution, I have vetoed the following bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 504(FIN) am "An Act relating to the wages of people working in the fisheries business." This bill would have negated the minimum wage increase for workers in remote seafood processing plants by allowing employers to charge them for room and board. In fact, some workers could have been forced to turn up to a fifth of their wages for employer-provided room and board. The practice of charging workers for room and board has been banned since Statehood, more than 40 years ago. It applies to no other industry in Alaska and permitting it for the seafood industry would open the door to a terrible precedent for many Alaskans who work at remote locations. The State of Alaska has taken or supported numerous policies to assist Alaska's seafood industry. Through the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, we developed a rationalization plan for the Bering Sea crab fishery that assures processors, fishermen and communities all benefit from a quota system. The administration opposed the federal court injunction on ground fishing in the Steller sea lion case. And I've worked for additional state funds for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, led trade missions to Asia and 2002-08-14 House Journal Page 4077 Europe promoting Alaska seafood and continued to advocate successfully for annual USDA purchases of canned salmon. Thousands of hard-working Alaska families rely on jobs in the seafood industry, which contribute to the economy of our state and adds value to our natural resources. More than 700 western Alaska residents worked for seafood processors in 2000, and the percentage of Alaskans working in this industry grew from 24 to 30 percent between 1994 and 2000. They rightfully should benefit from an increase in the minimum wage. For these reasons, I have vetoed House Bill 504. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor"