PSPA Position Opposing Alaska Ballot Measure 1

Originally posted to PSPA’s website found here: https://www.pspafish.net/_files/ugd/f347f9_9ba8bf70bb9048998acaf7783d312a14.pdf

The Pacific Seafood Processors Association (PSPA) stands with other business sectors in Alaska in opposition to Ballot Measure 1.

Ballot Measure 1 has three parts. The first part, increases to minimum wage, would have no direct impact on PSPA companies, because they already pay workers more than minimum wage.

The second part of Ballot Measure 1 requires up to 56 hours of paid annual sick leave for all employees, including seasonal workers, and would negatively impact PSPA shoreside processors. Seafood processors already provide paid sick leave and other benefits for full-time employees. Seasonal workers are provided health insurance, transportation, food, and housing, but do not have the same level of benefits as full-time employees, which is common for most businesses across Alaska. Seafood processors have a high percentage of seasonal workers due to the nature and timing of Alaska’s fisheries. The paid sick leave component of Ballot Measure 1 would add at least $16.5 million in estimated additional labor costs to the shoreside processing sector at a time when the Alaska seafood industry is already experiencing an economic crisis due to a significant number of global market factors combined with soaring operational costs. For example, labor costs increased 50% in two years, from 2021 to 2023.

The third part of Ballot Measure 1, to prohibit employers from making their employees attend meetings about religious or political issues, has no impact on PSPA companies.

To learn more about the Ballot Measure visit https://www.votenoon1ak.com/