The determination which restores statewide Alaska hire priority for contractors went into effect as of today.
The Alaska Hire determination was made by Governor Bill Walker and Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas earlier in June.
Drygas said the decision to reinstate those requirements came after Alaska was deemed a “Zone of Underemployment”.
Drygas: “The unemployment rate in Alaska is higher than the national average. The unemployment rate in Alaska right now is 6.7%, the national average is 5.8%. So because the state of Alaska has been determined by the Research and Analysis Division of the Department of Labor as a zone of underemployment, we are able by Alaskan statute to issue this determination.”
This determination restores statewide Alaska Hire requirements after the 2013 determination, which was limited to 15 boroughs and census areas.
Drygas: “It simply requires 90% of jobs on public construction contracts go to Alaskans. As the governor stated, there is a waiver process. Contractors can apply for a waiver in the event that they cannot find qualified Alaskans for those positions but as many of you know we have terrific apprenticeship and training opportunities here in Alaska and we’re looking to grow that.”
Drygas also stated, “When our state tax dollars fund construction projects, Alaskans should be hired for those jobs.”
Alaska Hire standards are overseen by local Wage and Hour offices and the numbers of those can be found at radiokenai.com
The department’s Wage and Hour staff oversee Alaska Hire standards, and contractors with questions regarding Alaska Hire should contact their local Wage and Hour office: Anchorage Wage and Hour office: 269-4900 Juneau Wage and Hour office: 465-4842 Fairbanks Wage and Hour office: 451-2886