Mechanics strike in Denali Park continues

The union bus mechanics in Denali Park continued picketing inside the park over the weekend.

Several buses broke down on Saturday.   At one point, several dozen tourists were stuck on a broken down bus in the middle of the road on the steep and infamous Government Hill, as park rangers tried to guide traffic around the bus.

Picketing mechanics report that at least 10 buses have broken down since the strike began.  Picketers received honks and waves over the weekend as visitors and park workers appeared to support the effort.

Bus mechanics, radio technicians and warehouse workers went on strike last Wednesday afternoon when negotiations failed. The workers are organized under the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, local 1547, and started wage and benefit package negotiations in January. 

Kris Fister, Park spokesperson, has said the bus tours and shuttle bus services continue uninterrupted.  Substitute mechanics were hired when the strike started.  The tour and shuttle bus fleet consists of about 120 buses.  All bus drivers and mechanics are employed by the concessionaire, Doyon Aramark-Joint Venture.

The bus drivers themselves are not part of the IBEW union, but are facing criticism for crossing picket lines to continue driving the buses into the Park while their co-workers picket.