With the proposed Responsible Labor Act, the mayor, representing management, will negotiate with unions. If impasse is reached, the contract is to be taken to the Assembly, which also represents management, for resolution. So at the onset management has scored 2 points and unions 0. Adding in the no strike provision adjusts the score to management 4, unions 0. This scheme will sure meet the mayor’s and his seven Assembly buds’ goal of an “efficient and streamlined process.”

The mayor can’t lose and the unions can’t win. Soapy Smith would be proud.

— Don Alspach

Anchorage