In June 2025 an arbitrator ruled in favor of ASEA in a long-running DPA outsourcing grievance brought on behalf of Eligibility Technicians (ETs) whose work was diverted to an out-of-state contractor.
In the Opinion and Award, the arbitrator ruled that the State of Alaska violated the parties’ Collective Bargaining Agreement when it outsourced the work of ETs to the contractor PCG between February 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024, without first performing a required feasibility study. The arbitrator further ordered the State to pay ETs employed during the above-mentioned period for reasonable mandatory overtime hours they could have been assigned to work instead of outsourcing the work to PCG. The award amounts to more than $4 million in total damages.
As the award is significant, the State has challenged this decision in court. In March, oral arguments were heard in Superior Court and we anticipate a decision in the coming months.
Impacted DPA employees will continue to receive updates from ASEA as the matter works its way through the legal process.
While we are thrilled with this big win, we must allow the legal process to conclude before taking a victory lap. Thank you for your continued work, solidarity, and support. This is an incredible example of our ability to represent and defend the interests of ASEA members.
In solidarity,
Heidi Drygas
Executive Director
