Post by Logan on Jun 8, 2016 1:31:06 GMT -6
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Two maritime unions with 250 Alaska jobs at stake have begun a campaign to stop the operator of the trans-Alaska pipeline from switching to a nonunion company for escorting oil tankers safely out of Prince William Sound, where the Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil in 1989.
Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. is proposing to drop Florida-based Crowley Maritime Services, which has provided tugs for tanker escorts and spill response services in Prince William Sound for 25 years. Alyeska spokeswoman Michelle Egan said Tuesday the company is in final negotiations for a new contract with Louisiana-based Edison Chouest, for the contract.
Crowley has decades of experience operating in harsh Alaska conditions, said Alan Cote, president of the Inlandboatmen's Union, at a press conference. Alyeska is trading safety and Alaska jobs for questionable costs savings, he said.
"One spill, one major incident, all that costs savings means nothing," Cote said.
Read more: www.newsminer.com/business/unions-protest-change-in-alaska-oil-tanker-escort-contract/article_855e045f-2c42-5fab-aa23-5cca1bf9c4f8.html
Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. is proposing to drop Florida-based Crowley Maritime Services, which has provided tugs for tanker escorts and spill response services in Prince William Sound for 25 years. Alyeska spokeswoman Michelle Egan said Tuesday the company is in final negotiations for a new contract with Louisiana-based Edison Chouest, for the contract.
Crowley has decades of experience operating in harsh Alaska conditions, said Alan Cote, president of the Inlandboatmen's Union, at a press conference. Alyeska is trading safety and Alaska jobs for questionable costs savings, he said.
"One spill, one major incident, all that costs savings means nothing," Cote said.
Read more: www.newsminer.com/business/unions-protest-change-in-alaska-oil-tanker-escort-contract/article_855e045f-2c42-5fab-aa23-5cca1bf9c4f8.html