The Fairbanks Newsminer had a front page article yesterday where the IBEW, representing the workers of the bus transportation system in the park, announced that they have taken a vote to go on strike, perhaps as early as today. No comment from the Park as to what they would do if this happens. Open the park roads to private vehicles? The buses are run by a private contractor and their union contract with their workers has expired.
Just a heads up if a person is planning to ride the park buses in the near future.
On edit:
Today's paper, July 2, said the company has brought in new workers to replace the striking IBEW folks. The Teamsters Union, which represents the drivers, said they will honor their contract and stay on the job.
So for now the buses are still running and the IBEW workers have their picket lines set up at the park.
* This post was
edited 07/02/09 08:37am by joe b. *
joe b.
South Florida, Stuart
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
Driving a Dodge/Cummins/Lance www.pajbcooper.com web site http://www.picturetrail.com/jbpacooper
Alaska 2004/2006/2009 - Colorado photos
"Without challenge, adventure is impossible".
States I have spent the night in my current rig, bought three years ago.
Have RV'ed through 49 states and been in all 50, just short of my half-century.
Local news said it is maintenance workers, not drivers, and only 17 people total on strike. Picketing at 3 locations, so I don't think it is going to be much, if any, deterent to tourists.
We rode the Tundra Tour on Sunday, and everything went fine - no hit of what was brewing at all...
I highly doubt any amount of strike will open the roads to the public... The chance to enter the lottery to drive in private vehicles ended on June 30th.
remas, it is too bad they don't still open the roads in the late fall to those that want to drive them. We did it for years, in the fall after the buses were returned to Fairbanks to haul school kids. Driving my vehicle was the only way my physically handicapped mother was able to see the park. No way she could have gotten on a bus and stayed on it for that long. The lottery is too much of a money maker for the park to drop that program.
Drivers still on the job. Friends going today on the 12 hour ride. Mountain was visable yesterday for a while and looks clear today on the camera monitor.
2007 Newmar 42' Mid Engine w/Fatboy,ATVs-in Garage,Rubicon w/4" lift,MotorMetal whls,MickeyT Baja tires-Cherokee w/4"lift in tow, Hog Valley FL(a diamond in the rough) Alaska '09 Part2
Offline
