02/08/2000 03:38 PM House HES

HB 224 - PERA:  NOTICE BEFORE STRIKE                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN DYSON announced the first order of business as House Bill                                                              
No. 224, "An Act requiring a public employee labor organization                                                                 
representing employees of a school district, regional educational                                                               
attendance area, or a state boarding school to give notice before                                                               
striking."                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Number 0022                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
RANDY LORENZ, Researcher for Representative Vic Kohring, Alaska                                                                 
State Legislature, came forward to present the sponsor statement                                                                
for HB 224.  He stated that this bill was requested by the                                                                      
Anchorage School District.  The bill amends the Public Employees                                                                
Relation Act (PERA) to require the school district to receive a                                                                 
minimum of three work days advance notice before a strike can be                                                                
called by the union representing the district.  Prior notice was                                                                
provided in two of the three strikes that have been called in the                                                               
past few years.  In January 1999 the Totem Association representing                                                             
the support personnel called a strike after 10 p.m. on Thursday.                                                                
The strike began the following morning, and the district had no                                                                 
time to provide sufficient notification to the parents.  This bill                                                              
does not prevent the union the ability from striking; it protects                                                               
the children.  It is a public safety issue, and he requested                                                                    
consideration of the bill.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Number 0118                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN DYSON announced the committee would suspend the hearing on                                                             
HB 224 to take testimony on HB 260.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Number 0154