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Alaskan Marine Ferry Strike Impacts Thousands

Wednesday, 31 July 2019 16:00

Hundreds of Alaskan Marine Highway System workers have been on strike for a week (Photo courtesy of Skagway.com).

Alaskan Marine Highway System workers have officially been on strike for one week and thousands of people have been impacted.

Alaskan Marine Highway System workers have officially been on strike for one week.

The state's ferries have traditionally helped to link 30 coastal Alaskan communities on the 5632-kilometer ferry route connecting Alaska and the US Mainland. The strike has meant that many water/air access only communities along the coast haven't received any groceries, food, vehicles or other vital goods for days.

Officials say as of Friday last week that more than 4000 passengers and 800 vehicles have been stranded due to the cancellations, forcing the state to refund approximately $2 million worth of tickets to passengers. Approximately 400 Alaskan Marine Highway System workers are also impacted by the strike.

While Alaskan Governor Mike Dunleavy says his team is actively working to resolve what he calls an "illegal" strike, it's still unknown when another contract with ferry workers could be signed.

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