Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Earlier this month, thanks to the hard work of Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA/AFSCME Local 52) members and staff, Alaska’s wildland firefighters received a critical pay increase that will help recruit and retain workers who serve an important role in protecting the state against wildfires.
ASEA represents about 106 wildland fire and resource technicians and wildland forestry technicians who are employed by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Fire Protection. As of July 1, per the new agreement between the state and the union, members have secured an incentive pay increase of 30% above their base hourly rate, a hazard pay increase from 15% to 25% in four-hour increments and a 5% cost-of-living adjustment. Additionally, the contract now reflects that members are eligible for hazard pay any time they take part in or help firefighting operations or are exposed to firefighting hazards. This is a massive win for wildland firefighters, who have cited low pay as a key cause of the forestry division’s long-standing recruitment and retention problems, which in turn puts Alaska residents at risk.
“I hope this news aids in the recruitment and retention of more firefighters in the Division of Forestry so you have the support you need to continue doing the critical and important work you do to protect lives and property,” ASEA Executive Director Heidi Drygas wrote in an email to members.