Linemen and one power plant operator between Haines and Skagway have voted to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union, local 1547.
According to results from the National Labor Relations Board, four of the six ballots counted on Tuesday were in favor of joining the union.
IBEW Assistant Business Manager Jesse Young said once an appeal window has closed, he plans to reach out to Alaska Power & Telephone management to start the discussions around creating a collective bargaining agreement.
“I’ve already started reaching out to the employees to gather their input on what matters most to them” he said Wednesday. “This agreement is theirs, and my role is to guide and educate both the field and office employees, as well as management, to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.”
In the past, Young said what he’s heard from employees is that they’re not looking for any big changes in how the company operates; rather they’re seeking better benefits and access to training.