Observations and Data Points on the State of Alaska Bargaining Units Presentation

Published on by Sarah Montalbano

On January 17, 2020, the Senate Finance Committee saw a presentation from the Department of Administration regarding the costs of the state’s unionized public employees by bargaining unit from 2009 to 2019. The Alaska Policy Forum has summarized the data in this preliminary report, and the data has much potential for further analysis. The conclusions drawn are supported by the data points below, which are organized by bargaining unit and calculated from the original data, which can be found here.  

Notes: A change in state software in 2017 resulted in the data showing large differentials in 2018 over 2017 data. Dollar values for all years are shown in current dollars, meaning that values are reported in the dollar values of that year and are unadjusted for inflation. However, keep in mind that collective bargaining agreements factor in cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for most years. The full names for all bargaining units are listed in the Data Points section of this report. For space considerations, acronyms are used in the Observations section. 

 

Observations 

  • 2018 was the only year from 2010 to 2019 in which all bargaining units experienced a total pay raise in excess of the Urban Alaska Consumer Price Index (CPI) change. This coincides with the final year of Governor Bill Walker’s tenure.
  • Of the 12 bargaining units examined, nine saw their highest increase in average total paid per employee (in the table as “Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total Per Employee”) in 2018.
  • 2011 and 2018 are the two years which saw positive percent increases in average total paid per employees across the board.
  • Because ASEA represents over half of all state employee union members, the cost per member is important to recognize.
    • The overall costliest bargaining unit in 2009 was ASEA, which cost the state of Alaska $501,633,427 on all pay and benefits for its members, which numbered 7126. That breaks out to an average of $70,395 per member in 2009. The next-largest is APEA with 2070, which cost the second-highest total pay and benefits at $208,466,418. That breaks out to an average per member of $100,708 in 2009.
    • In 2019, ASEA was still the largest and costliest overall, with 6719 members and requiring $616,623,669 of state funds for an average of $91,773 per member. The second-most costly in 2019, APEA, employed 2099 and spent $290,162,135, for an average of $138,238 per member.
  • The PSEA-AP was the only bargaining unit to experience a 100% rate of overtime, meaning every employee in the PSEA-AP was paid overtime by the State of Alaska in both 2009 and 2019, though some years in-between 2009 and 2019 did not have 100% overtime rates.
  • 67% of bargaining units had an increase in members from 2018 to 2019, and 42% of them had total increases from 2009 to 2019. State employee union membership is growing.
  • The average percent increase in number of state employees between all bargaining units was +3.75% from 2009 to 2019, and several outliers exist: MEBA experienced a 39.3% increase in members and MMP experienced a 13.8% increase.
  • The largest union of state employees, ASEA, had the lowest cost to the state per employee in 2019.
  • Employees of the Alaska Marine Highway System who are members of two of the marine unions had some of the highest costs to the state per employee in 2019, just behind public safety employees.
    • PSEA at #1 and #3: troopers, court service officers, deputy fire marshalls at $177722; airport police and fire officers at $142591.
    • MMP #2 at $169725; MEBA #4 at $142024.
  • MMP increased employees by 13.8% from 2009 to 2019, but average overtime per employee still increased by 70.7%, while the percentage of their employees paid overtime hovered around 98%.
  • The increasing cost of health insurance benefits was a big driver. Between 2009 and 2019, the dollar cost to the state increased 62%.
    • The largest total cost increase, 132%, was for TEAME, and the smallest increase was for PSEA-AP at 47%.
  • The average health insurance benefit per employee also went up substantially between 2009 and 2019. Per employee, IBU employee health insurance benefits cost 105% more in 2019 than in 2009, followed closely by AVTECTA with a 104% increase. The average increase across all state unions was 80%.
  • For half of the bargaining units which are eligible for overtime pay, the percentage of members receiving overtime exceeded 90% for both 2009 and 2019; only AVTECTA and TEAME are ineligible for overtime.

 

Data Points

Alaska Correctional Officers Association (ACOA)

  1. Percent change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: +15%
  2. 2009 percent of employees paid overtime: 94.7%
  3. 2019 percent of employees paid overtime: 94.3%
  4. Percent change in fraction of employees paid overtime, 2009 to 2019: -0.4%
  5. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $4,015.89
  6. 2019 average yearly overtime per employee: $10,738.80
  7. Percent change in average yearly overtime per employee, 2009 to 2019: 167.4%
  8. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $55627
  9. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $79803
  10. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee, 2009 to 2019: +43.5%
  11. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $79638
  12. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $119249
  13. Percentage change in average yearly total paid per Employee, 2009 to 2019: +49.7%
  14. In 2018, average percent change in amount spent per employee was 12.85%, well above the CPI change of 3.00% and higher than every year besides 2011, which saw an average change in amount spent per employee of 14.63%.

Alaska Public Employees Association (APEA)

  1. Percent change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: +1.4%
  2. 2009 percentage of employees paid overtime: 9.7%
  3. 2019 fraction paid overtime: 12.2%
  4. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $2431.89
  5. 2019 average yearly overtime per employee: $4614.40
  6. Percentage change in average yearly overtime per employee, 2009 to 2019: +89.7%
  7. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $70398
  8. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $94270
  9. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee, 2009 to 2019: +33.9%
  10. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $100708
  11. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $138238
  12. Percentage change in average yearly total paid per employee, 2009 to 2019: +37.3%
  13. In 2018, the average percentage change in amount spent per employee was 8.23%, higher than the 3.00% CPI Change, and the highest from 2009 to 2019.

Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA)

  1. Percent change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: -5.7%
  2. 2009 percent of employees paid overtime: 49.9%
  3. 2019 fraction paid overtime: 49.4%
  4. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $3167.84
  5. 2019 average yearly overtime per employee: $5353.49
  6. Percentage change in average yearly overtime per employee, 2009 to 2019: +69%
  7. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $47758
  8. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $59735
  9. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee, 2009 to 2019: +25.1%
  10. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $70395
  11. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $91773
  12. Percentage change in average yearly total cost per employee, 2009 to 2019: +30.4%
  13. Steps given annually at a rate of 3.50%.
  14. In 2018, the average percentage change in amount spent per employee was 7.59%, higher than the 3.00% CPI Change, and the highest from 2009 to 2019. (The next highest was 3.93% in 2011.)

Alaska Vocational Technical Center Teachers’ Association (AVTECTA)

AVTECTA are ineligible for overtime pay, as well as steps and pay increments.

  1. Change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: -32.1%
  2. 2009 percentage of employees paid overtime: 0%
  3. 2019 percentage of employees paid overtime: 0%
  4. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $0
  5. 2019 average overtime: $0
  6. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $58089
  7. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $79336
  8. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee, 2009 to 2019: +36.6%
  9. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $77097
  10. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $118514
  11. Percentage change in average yearly total paid per employee, 2009 to 2019: +53.7%
  12. In 2010, the average percentage change in amount spent per employee was 15.37%, higher than the 1.80% CPI Change, and the highest from 2009 to 2019.
  13. In 2018, it was 6.40%, higher than the 3.00% CPI Change and the third-highest raise over the 10-year span.

Confidential Employees Association (CEA)

  1. Percentage change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: +9.6%
  2. 2009 percentage of employees paid overtime: 34.3%
  3. 2019 percentage of employees paid overtime: 34.9%
  4. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $1765.51
  5. 2019 average yearly overtime per employee: $1118.36
  6. Percentage change in average yearly overtime per employee, 2009 to 2019: -36.7%
  7. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $47255
  8. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $60945
  9. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee, 2009 to 2019: +29%
  10. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $69498
  11. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $94499
  12. Percentage change in average yearly total paid per employee, 2009 to 2019: +36%
  13. Steps given annually at a rate of 3.50%.
  14. In 2018, the average percentage change in amount spent per employee was 8.50%, higher than the 3.00% CPI Change, and the highest from 2009 to 2019. (The next highest was 7.68% in 2011.)
  15. The 8.50% increase was countered by a -1.37% increase in 2019, while the CPI changed +1.40%, leading to an effective pay cut of -2.77% from 2018 levels in 2019.

Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific (IBU)

  1. Percentage change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: -15.7%
  2. 2009 percentage of employees paid overtime: 95.9%
  3. 2019 percentage of employees paid overtime: 95.5%
  4. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $5595.51
  5. 2019 average yearly overtime per employee: $10967.77
  6. Percentage change in average yearly overtime per employee, 2009 to 2019: +96.0%
  7. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $43021
  8. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $64696
  9. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee: +50.4%
  10. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $61891
  11. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $97084
  12. Percentage change in average yearly total paid per employee, 2009 to 2019: +56.9%
  13. In 2018, the average percentage change in amount spent per employee was 8.61%, higher than the 3.00% CPI Change, and the highest from 2009 to 2019. (The next highest was 7.47% in 2017.)
  14. The 8.50% average percent increase per employee was countered by a -2.10% decrease in 2019, while the CPI increased 1.40%.

Labor, Trades, and Crafts Unit (LTC)

  1. Percentage change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: -1.8%
  2. 2009 percentage of employees paid overtime: 89.1%
  3. 2019 percentage of employees paid overtime: 89.2%
  4. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $4500.56
  5. 2019 average yearly overtime per employee: $5953.17
  6. Percentage change in average yearly overtime per employee, 2009 to 2019: +23.3%
  7. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $54679
  8. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $63329
  9. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee, 2009 to 2019: +15.8%
  10. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $78869
  11. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $97449
  12. Percentage change in average yearly total paid per employee, 2009 to 2019: +23.6%
  13. In 2018, the average percentage change in amount spent per employee was 7.13%, higher than the 3.00% CPI Change, and the second highest from 2009 to 2019. (The highest was 7.58% in 2011.)

Marine Engineer’s Beneficial Association (MEBA)

  1. Percent change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: +39.3%
  2. 2009 percentage of employees paid overtime: 96.9%
  3. 2019 percentage of employees paid overtime: 83.5%
  4. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $6339.78
  5. 2019 average yearly overtime per employee: $6358.09
  6. Percentage change in average yearly overtime per employee, 2009-2019: +0.29%
  7. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $94145
  8. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $109149
  9. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee, 2009-2019: +15.9%
  10. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $107640
  11. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $142024
  12. Percentage change in average yearly total paid per employee, 2009-2019: +31.9%
  13. In 2018, the average percentage change in amount spent per employee was 15.52%, higher than the 3.00% CPI Change, and the highest from 2009 to 2019. (The next-highest was 11.06% in 2010.)
  14. These members did not receive a yearly PERS ER contribution until 2018, when the average contribution per employee was $12528 in 2018 and $12085 in 2019.
  15. Steps and pay increments do not apply.

International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots (MMP)

  1. Change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: +13.8%
  2. 2009 percentage of employees paid overtime: 97.2%
  3. 2019 percentage of employees paid overtime: 98.8%
  4. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $7126.74
  5. 2019 average yearly overtime per employee: $12162.38
  6. Percentage change in average yearly overtime per employee, 2009-2019: +70.7%
  7. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $94592
  8. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $120948
  9. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee, 2009-2019: +27.9%
  10. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $127813
  11. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $169725
  12. Percentage change in average yearly total paid per employee, 2009-2019: +32.8%
  13. In 2018, the average percentage change in amount spent per employee was 7.65%, higher than the 3.00% CPI Change, and the second highest from 2009 to 2019. (The highest was 12.93% in 2010.)
  14. Steps and pay increments do not apply for the MMP.

Public Safety Employees Association (PSEA) – AA (troopers, court service officers, deputy fire marshalls)

  1. Percentage change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: -3.0%
  2. 2009 percentage of employees paid overtime: 92.9%
  3. 2019 percentage of employees paid overtime: 92.9%
  4. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $10753.18
  5. 2019 average yearly overtime per employee: $15061.49
  6. Percentage change in average yearly overtime per employee, 2009-2019: +40.1%
  7. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $84326
  8. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $126095
  9. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee, 2009 to 2019: +49.5%
  10. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $115960
  11. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $177722
  12. Percentage change in average total paid per employee, 2009-2019: +53.3%
  13. In 2018, the average percentage change in amount spent per employee was 13.93%, higher than the 3.00% CPI Change, and the highest from 2009 to 2019. The next highest was 7.82% in 2019, marking two record years of increases.

PSEA – AP (airport police and fire officers)

  1. Percentage change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: -9.2%
  2. 2009 percentage paid overtime: 100%
  3. 2019 percentage paid overtime: 100%
  4. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $8292.82
  5. 2019 average yearly overtime per employee: $11692.09
  6. Percentage change in average yearly overtime per employee, 2009-2019: +41.0%
  7. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $67074
  8. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $97937
  9. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee, 2009 to 2019: +46.0%
  10. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $92930
  11. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $142591
  12. Percentage change in average yearly total paid per employee, 2009 to 2019: +53.4%
  13. In 2018, the average percentage change in amount spent per employee was 19.52%, higher than the 3.00% CPI Change, and the highest from 2009 to 2019. (The highest was 10.34% in 2010.)

Teachers’ Education Association of Mt. Edgecumbe (TEAME)

TEAME is ineligible for overtime, nor any pay increments or steps.

  1. Percentage change in number of employees, 2009 to 2019: -7.1%
  2. 2009 percentage paid overtime: 0%
  3. 2019 percentage paid overtime: 0%
  4. 2009 average yearly overtime per employee: $0
  5. 2019 average yearly overtime per employee: $0
  6. Percentage change in average yearly overtime per employee, 2009 to 2019: 0%
  7. 2009 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $61685
  8. 2019 Average Yearly Gross per Employee: $75131
  9. Percentage change in average yearly gross per employee, 2009-2019: +21.8%
  10. 2009 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $78708
  11. 2019 Average Yearly Gross, SBS, PERS, and Health Insurance Total per Employee: $102045
  12. Percentage change in average yearly total paid per employee, 2009-2019: +29.7%
  13. In 2018, the average percentage change in amount spent per employee was 15.45%, higher than the 3.00% CPI Change, and the highest from 2009 to 2019. (The second highest was 10.58% in 2012.)