02/24/2022 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB296 | |
| HB322 | |
| Presentation: Alaska Marine Highway Workforce Partnerships for the Future | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 296 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 322 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 24, 2022
1:14 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Grier Hopkins, Chair
Representative Sara Hannan, Vice Chair
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Harriet Drummond
Representative Kevin McCabe
Representative Mike Cronk
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Tom McKay
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 296
"An Act relating to program receipts; and relating to the
acceptance of gifts, donations, and grants for the purpose of
providing signage for assets under the control of the Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities."
- MOVED HB 296 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 322
"An Act relating to the Alaska marine highway system vessel
replacement fund; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PRESENTATION: ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIPS FOR
THE FUTURE
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 296
SHORT TITLE: DONATIONS/GIFTS FOR DOT&PF SIGNAGE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) RAUSCHER
01/31/22 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/31/22 (H) TRA, FIN
02/08/22 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
02/08/22 (H) Heard & Held
02/08/22 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
02/24/22 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 322
SHORT TITLE: AK MARINE HWY SYSTEM VESSEL REPL. FUND
SPONSOR(s): TRANSPORTATION
02/14/22 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/14/22 (H) TRA, FIN
02/24/22 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE RAUSCHER
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, gave information on HB
296.
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony during the
hearing on HB 296.
KERRY CROCKER, Staff
Representative Louise Stutes
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave an overview of the changes proposed in
a committee substitute for HB 322 on behalf of Representative
Stutes, prime sponsor.
SHANNON ADAMSON, Alaska Regional Representative
Masters, Mates and Pilots
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented a PowerPoint, titled "Masters,
Mates and Pilots, Inland Boatman's Union and Marine Engineers'
Beneficial Association," during the Alaska Marine Highway
Workforce Partnerships for the Future presentation.
EARLING WALLI, Regional Director
Inland Boatman's Union of the Pacific
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented a PowerPoint, titled "Masters,
Mates and Pilots, Inland Boatman's Union and Marine Engineers'
Beneficial Association," during the Alaska Marine Highway
Workforce Partnerships for the Future presentation.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:14:25 PM
CHAIR GRIER HOPKINS called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:14 p.m. Representatives
Drummond, Hannan, McCabe, Cronk, Stutes, and Hopkins were
present at the call to order.
HB 296-DONATIONS/GIFTS FOR DOT&PF SIGNAGE
1:15:19 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS announced that the first order of business would
be HB 296, "An Act relating to program receipts; and relating to
the acceptance of gifts, donations, and grants for the purpose
of providing signage for assets under the control of the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities."
1:15:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE RAUSCHER, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, stated that HB 296 would allow the Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF)) to accept gifts
pertaining to ongoing renaming projects.
1:16:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked what would happen if a person were
to pledge payment for a project and then lost the ability to
fund it.
1:17:29 PM
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison, Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities, answered that he looked back at the last
several years at naming processes. Once the designation is on
the books, should such a scenario come to pass in which the
third party is unable to maintain those funds, the renaming
would be moved to the next time such projects are undertaken.
1:19:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether bridge would remain
identified with its number "until something else transpires
which would require signage."
MR. MILLS answered that the previous name would remain until the
next renaming project occurred. In response to a follow-up
question, he said that it would depend on the bill pertaining to
the renaming.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether new signage would be added
if another project related to repairs of a bridge was ongoing.
MR. MILLS answered that that is a scenario in which the renaming
signage would be added.
1:22:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER offered clarification that the proposed
legislation is only meant to give receipt authority to DOT&PF.
1:23:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN noted that a memorandum ("memo") received
by the committee from DOT&PF stated that the donor could donate
materials rather than money, and she asked whether it could
cause an issue due to the wrong materials being used.
MR. MILLS responded that the language used means that DOT&PF has
the ability to contemplate the provided materials. He stated
his understanding that the bill would allow more options for
people. There are technical requirements when it comes to
signage, and donated materials could be used if they met those
requirements.
1:26:11 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS opened public testimony on HB 296. After
ascertaining that no one wished to testify, he closed public
testimony.
1:27:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN REPRESENTATIVE moved to report HB 296 out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 296 was
reported out of the House Transportation Standing Committee.
1:27:58 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:28 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
HB 322-AK MARINE HWY SYSTEM VESSEL REPL. FUND
1:30:07 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS announced that the next order of business would be
HB 322, "An Act relating to the Alaska marine highway system
fund; relating to the Alaska marine highway system vessel
replacement fund; relating to the Alaska higher education
investment fund; and providing for an effective date."
1:30:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 322, labeled 32-LS1501\B, Marx, 2/23/22,
as a working document. Without objection, Version B was before
the committee.
1:31:09 PM
KERRY CROCKER, Staff, Representative Louise Stutes, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Stutes, prime sponsor
of HB 322, stated that Version B would create two funds: the
Alaska Marine Highway System (AHMS) fund and a vessel
replacement fund. Those funds would be exempt from the
constitutional sweep, protecting them from use in
appropriations. He said that AMHS is a critical part of Alaska
infrastructure that should not be subject to appropriation
changes.
1:32:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked whether there is legal analysis on
the bill.
MR. CROCKER said he would acquire it.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE expressed his concern that the fund would
go against the Constitution of the State of Alaska.
1:33:52 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS announced HB 322 was held over.
^PRESENTATION: Alaska Marine Highway Workforce Partnerships for
the Future
PRESENTATION: Alaska Marine Highway Workforce Partnerships for
the Future
1:34:30 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS announced that the final order of business would
be a presentation, titled "Alaska Marine Highway Workforce
Partnerships for the Future."
1:35:19 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
1:36:13 PM
SHANNON ADAMSON, Alaska Regional Representative, Masters, Mates
and Pilots (MM&P), stated that she has been a representative of
MM&P for seven years.
1:36:51 PM
EARLING WALLI, Regional Director, Inlandboatman's Union of the
Pacific (IBU), stated that he has been the regional director
since 2020 and has been a merchant mariner since 1977.
1:37:13 PM
MS. ADAMSON began the PowerPoint presentation [hard copy
included in the committee packet] on slide 2 and stated that the
unlicensed number of members for MM&P is 303. She described
some of the duties of the listed positions.
1:38:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked for a description of the difference
between "unlicensed" means and "licensed" crew members.
MS. ADAMSON answered that unlicensed personnel do not have
qualifications for higher positions on the vessel.
MR. WALLI stated that he would be speaking to unlicensed
positions.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN noted that unlicensed implies that there
wasn't governance, but the credentials are still provided.
MS. ADAMSON offered clarification that the difference between
licensed and unlicensed is the level of qualification required
by the U.S. Coast Guard.
1:40:43 PM
MS. ADAMSON moved to slide 3 and gave the number of members by
licensed positions, including captains, engineers, and chief
mates for both MM&P and the Marine Engineers' Beneficial
Association (MEBA).
1:42:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked Ms. Adamson about IBU's
responsibilities.
MS. ADAMSON answered that the unlicensed division covers jobs
that directly interact with passengers, such as stewards.
MR. WALLI added that IBU covers positions found across the
vessel, including the galleys, engine rooms, and steering.
1:44:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked to which union unlicensed engineers
would belong.
MR. WALLI answered that personnel that gain more qualifications
would eventually move to another union.
1:45:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether the numbers on slide 3 refer
to the numbers in the unit.
MS. ADAMSON answered that these are the current numbers.
1:46:42 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued to slides 4 and 5 and gave an overview of
the job qualifications for a steward. The qualifications
include basic safety training, merchant mariner credentials,
drug tests, and food safety training. She stated that an office
assistant position requires a high school diploma.
1:48:38 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked whether all qualifications have to be met
before joining the crew.
MS. ADAMSON responded that all qualifications are required to
qualify for a permanent, full-time crew member position as a
steward.
1:49:16 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued to slides 6-8 and gave a brief overview of
other requirements for full-time deck and engine room positions.
Advancement to the highest levels of unlicensed supervision
positions requires further merchant mariner credentials and
endorsements.
1:50:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked about the motives for some of the
decisions made by IBU. She referred to an instance a few years
ago when the IBU chose to go on strike during a time when the
marine highway system was in danger of going under financially.
MR. WALLI answered that they had been bargaining with the state
for over two years over multiple administrations.
1:52:59 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked whether IBU falls under the Public Employee
Relations Act.
MR. WALLI answered yes. In response to a follow-up question, he
answered that going on strike has many requirements of mediation
and negotiation before being considered to be at an impasse that
would allow for a strike.
1:54:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked Mr. Walli whether they went on
strike before having an arbitrator become part of the process.
MR. WALLI answered yes.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES stated that AMHS is in a dire situation,
and she questioned whether going on strike at that time was in
the best interest of the state and the members of IBU.
1:55:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE noted that he was once a negotiator for a
union and negotiated a contract for seven years. He said that
state employees cannot go on strike until they reach an impasse
that the national labor relations board says is an impasse, due
to their status as a service that has a monopoly.
1:58:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked Mr. Walli whether the leadership of
IBU has changed since the strike two years ago.
MR. WALLI answered yes. He added that there have been efforts
to have a better working relationship with the State of Alaska.
1:59:11 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked whether Mr. Walli could say what the vote
threshold was.
MR. WALLI responded that he doesn't have that info but can look
it up and provide it. In response to a follow-up question, he
stated that the last strike had been in the 1970s.
2:00:34 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued with slides 8 through 10 and gave a brief
overview of the qualifications for MEBA and MM&P positions that
require a license. The qualifications for MEBA include a Coast
Guard license for each specific job class, hazardous
communication training, firefighting, and rating for each
engineering task. She said that the MM&P qualifications include
communication techniques and the associated Coast Guard license.
She noted that the slides contained a more detailed list of
other qualifications. She stated that MM&P covers 46 pilotage
areas across the state and 3 in the state of Washington. She
noted that chief engineers and masters have further
qualifications that are required on top of those other positions
covered by MEBA and MM&P.
2:04:21 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked for a comparison between the qualifications
for the State of Maine and those of the State of Alaska.
MS. ADAMSON responded that she was unsure of specific examples.
2:05:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked Ms. Adamson whether pilotage is a
Coast Guard certification.
MS. ADAMSON responded yes. In response to a follow-up question,
she said that gaining the qualifications for that license is
similar to an apprenticeship.
2:06:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked Ms. Adamson whether a captain on an
AMHS vessel would need to have a license for each pilotage area.
MS. ADAMSON responded that in most instances, there is pilotage
for each route. She added that the Kennicott is the only vessel
that requires charts for all pilotages the vessel travels in,
which is all 49 charts. In response to a follow-up question,
she answered that that includes those in the state of
Washington.
2:08:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked whether Ms. Adamson's organization
represents the pilots of cruise ships.
MS. ADAMSON answered that cruise ship pilots usually choose to
remain a part of MM&P.
2:08:45 PM
MS. ADAMSON proceeded to slide 11 and gave a brief overview of
the additional requirements for chief engineers and masters.
She said that years of experience and several Coast Guard tests
are required for a crew member to reach these levels. The
education required for these positions is a significant
investment that is lost whenever personnel filling those
positions are lost to other organizations.
2:10:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether retention has any
correlation to the reduced number of routes during the winter.
MS. ADAMSON answered yes.
2:10:43 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued to slide 12 and showed a list with the
number of bids and vacancies within MM&P and MEBA. She added
that the normal 30 percent relief pool is not currently
available, resulting in both being short-handed.
2:11:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether the numbers include those
who will be leaving during the next spring.
MS. ADAMSON answered no.
2:12:16 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked why no crew is assigned to the Motor Vessel
(M/V) Hubbard.
MS. ADAMSON answered that it is currently being repaired.
2:13:02 PM
MR. WALLI continued to slide 13 and displayed several graphs
showing IBU vacancies. He said that having some vacancies is
normal.
2:13:44 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked whether specific numbers for the graphs are
available.
MR. WALLI answered that he would provide them at a later time.
2:14:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked what bids mean in relation to
vacancies.
MS. ADAMSON answered that a bid is a full-time position.
2:15:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked how often the bids open.
MS. ADAMSON answered that it depends on the bargaining unit.
MR. WALLI added the bids open four times a year, and personnel
are locked in for six months for making a lateral move.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked what happens if a vessel is moved to
dry dock or a personnel member is otherwise bumped.
MR. WALLI answered that it depends.
2:18:10 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 2:18 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
2:20:23 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued to slides 14 and 15 and stated that
problems with retention are not solely due to the COVID-19
pandemic, as retention has been in decline since 2015. She said
that mariners that work for AMHS do so because of a schedule
that is more friendly to those that have families. She said
that mariners can make more money elsewhere, and with the
reduction of these more friendly schedules, retention has
decreased.
2:23:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked what a schedule might look like for
a private sector mariner.
MS. ADAMSON answered that a mariner working in the private
sector would work for six to eight months at a time, with four
to six months off, and make up to double the amount of money as
a mariner in AMHS.
MR. WALLI added that Southwest Alaska has some flexibility in
scheduling due to the one-man crews.
2:26:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked Ms. Adamson which license she has.
MS. ADAMSON responded that she has a Second Mate Boatswain's
license.
2:26:36 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued to slide 16 and stated that scheduling
issues and wages are the main reasons for mariners leaving AMHS.
She said that the number of favorable schedules has decreased,
and there is less year-round work available. Mariners will seek
new work during the winter and not return to the AMHS during the
next summer.
2:28:12 PM
MR. WALLI added that there is an ongoing issue in IBU with
members not knowing whether their vacation is approved until the
last minute.
2:29:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked Mr. Walli for clarification.
MR. WALLI replied that crew members often do not know whether
their vacation has been approved until a new crew list is
released without that member being on the list.
2:31:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked whether premium pay is available for
less favorable schedules and for time spent being held over.
MS. ADAMSON answered yes.
2:32:37 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued on slide 16 and reiterated the lack of
available work during the winter. She added that she is unable
to go into detail about payroll due to it being under
negotiation.
2:34:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE noted that the slide seems to be showing a
list of grievances.
MS. ADAMSON responded that the number of grievances filed
fluctuates.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked whether something could be done to
improve sleep schedules.
MS. ADAMON explained that the origin of the six-hour schedule
started in the 1960s, before it was unearthed that that schedule
was detrimental to one's health. She added that the Coast Guard
keeping the schedule was based on the idea that a two weeks
on/two weeks off schedule would allow people to reset.
2:37:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether that sleep schedule is
industry wide.
MS. ADAMSON answered that it is in the contract for AMHS, and
the Coast Guard has not corrected it since it was created in the
1960s. In response to a follow-up question, she stated that
cruise ship pilots follow a weekly schedule rather than a daily
schedule.
2:40:13 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked about onboard maintenance requests.
MS. ADAMSON answered that maintenance requests are often
ignored.
2:40:47 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued to slide 17 and stated that mariners
working for AMHS are leaving for retirement and other
organizations on the West Coast such as the Washington State
Ferry and Black Ball, among others.
2:41:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked where Black Ball is located.
MS. ADAMSON answered that Black Ball operates between the state
of Washington and British Columbia, Canada.
2:42:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether Black Ball is a private
ferry.
MS. ADAMSON answered yes.
2:42:29 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued to slides 18 and 19 and stated that
mariners are also leaving for positions they see posted in MEBA
and MM&P union halls. She showed a chart with wage comparisons
between AMHS, Washington State Ferry, and Black Ball, and said
that wages for the latter two are much higher than those
available at AMHS.
2:44:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked whether the wage discrepancy
included total take-home pay.
MS. ADAMSON answered that it includes only wages.
2:46:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN commented that it is likely that health
care contributions for Black Ball employees do not come from
their paychecks.
2:47:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether Black Ball is privately
owned.
MS. ADAMSON answered yes.
2:47:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked whether the Washington State
Ferries do anything other than commuter transport.
MS. ADAMSON answered no.
2:48:00 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued to slide 20 and displayed a bar graph
comparing the differences in wages between MM&P and other West
Coast ferries. She added that a typographical error ("typo") on
the previous slide resulted in a wage comparison stating that it
is 108.9 percent higher, when the actual number is 8.9 percent.
She added that certain positions are able to make more money at
Black Ball than AMHS even if they are slightly lower level
positions.
2:50:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked what happens if a crew member is
sick.
MS. ADAMSON responded that that crew member would have to use
[leave].
2:51:06 PM
MS. ADAMSON moved to slide 21 and displayed a bar graph
comparing Black Ball, Washington State Ferry, and MEBA wages.
2:51:49 PM
MR. WALLI continued to slide 22 and displayed a bar graph
comparing Black Ball, Washington State Ferry, and IBU wages. He
added that the graphs include only information that compares
similar positions.
2:52:37 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued to slide 23 and stated that the unions
recommend providing work for members year round and utilizing
union halls for certain positions in order to increase
retention.
2:53:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether they would need full
licensure for any of those positions.
MS. ADAMSON answered yes. In response to a follow-up question,
she said that union members cannot work in lower positions than
what they have bargained for.
2:53:53 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued with slide 23 and stated that payroll and
labor relations issues need to be addressed. She said that AMHS
should remove requirements for certain positions when those
requirements are not required by the Coast Guard.
2:54:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked for examples of those positions.
MS. ADAMSON responded that certain boatswain qualifications
would fall under that category.
2:55:46 PM
MS. ADAMSON continued with slide 23 and stated that training
programs for entry level positions should be made available.
She said that predictable schedules should be available to those
working in the yards, and that AMHS stopped recruiting at high
schools, job fairs, and maritime academies.
2:56:56 PM
CO-CHAIR HOPKINS asked when AMHS stopped recruiting.
MS. ADAMSON answered seven or eight years ago due to the drop in
oil prices.
2:57:07 PM
MS. ADAMSON moved to slides 24 and 25 and stated that it is
easier to provide industry standard contracts instead of state
employee contracts for positions that fall under these
organizations. She said that things such as paid travel are
necessary to retain mariners, and the contracts are less
complicated than most industry standard contracts. Wage
increases do not occur without specific negotiation, and certain
language is the result of 60 years of collective bargaining.
She encouraged the legislature to work with the unions to better
utilize mariners for the improvement of the state.
3:02:23 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked about how restructuring the system has been
received.
MS. ADAMSON responded that the unions are hopeful and would like
to be included as much as possible.
[HB 322 was held over.]
3:04:18 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:04
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation - AMHS Workforce Transportation Committee 02.24.2022.pdf |
HTRA 2/24/2022 1:00:00 PM |
AMHS Workforce Presentation |
| 2022-02-24 - DOTPF Follow Up re Donations.pdf |
HTRA 2/24/2022 1:00:00 PM |
HB 297 |
| HB 322 CS Version B 02.24.2022.pdf |
HTRA 2/24/2022 1:00:00 PM |
HB 322 |
| HB 296 Fiscal Note - 2.24.2022.pdf |
HTRA 2/24/2022 1:00:00 PM |
HB 296 |
| 2022-03-03 - AMHS Workforce Presentation response to HTRA.pdf |
HTRA 2/24/2022 1:00:00 PM |
AMHS Workforce Presentation - Response to Committee Questions |