Ferry union reaches deal with state, bringing potential end to strike

The Inland Boatman’s Union of the Pacific has reached a tentative deal with the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, the Empire has confirmed.

IBU regional vice chair Robb Arnold said via text message that the union had reached a tentative deal with the state and that the agreement would soon be taken to the membership for ratification.

“Alaska is moving forward!!!” Arnold said in a text.

“Before midnight we came to a tentative agreement,” Arnold told the Empire by phone Friday morning. Until the union membership ratifies the vote workers are still technically on strike. But as a gesture of good faith Arnold says that workers have stepped down from picket lines.

Arnold couldn’t say when ferries would begin running again but did say that the union was, “working with the administration and want(s) to move as quickly as possible.”

Read more: https://www.juneauempire.com/news/ibu-reaches-deal-with-amh-bringing-end-to-strike/