In 2022, the local Alaskans who work at the Ketchikan Shipyard elected SMART Local 23 to represent them. After the victory, Local 23 negotiated a three-year labor contract with the Shipyard’s then-operator, Vigor Alaska. The contract was set to expire in April 2026 and made unprecedented gains for the local workforce, including:

  • 12% wage increases over the life of the contract;
  • Participation in the union’s health and welfare fund; and
  • Just cause protection against arbitrary and unfair discipline.

Last August, the Alaska Industrial Development & Economic Authority (AIDEA) – the Shipyard’s owner – announced that it would be replacing Vigor with JAG Alaska, a subsidiary of marine contractor JAG Marine Group.

READ MORE ABOUT HOW AIDEA SELECTED JAG

The transition to JAG led to two months of unemployment for local shipyard workers. While unemployed, they were able to draw supplemental unemployment benefits from Local 23.

JAG hired back local shipyard workers in September but is refusing to recognize Local 23 as their union or to honor their labor contract. As a result, they have had benefits they organized for and won taken away. For example, JAG implemented its own health insurance in place of the union plan, and on January 1, 2026, it announced a 27% increase to employee premiums.

Local 23 has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board which allege that JAG is unlawfully refusing to recognize and bargain, including by unilaterally increasing health insurance premiums. The charges are under investigation.