A scheduled debate Friday night on Anchorage's labor law has been converted into an "educational dialogue" after representatives of unions opposing the law refused to participate.
The event is being organized by United for Liberty, a coalition of right-leaning groups that has also hosted debates between U.S. Senate candidates in recent months. The labor law, which makes changes to collective bargaining for municipal employees, is appearing as a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot and has prompted an outpouring of opposition from unions.
On the yes side, two current Assembly members, Ernie Hall and Bill Evans, had agreed to argue in support of the law. But union representatives with the "No on 1 -- Repeal AO37" campaign said no when asked to participate in the debate.
"We have a lot of respect for our elected officials here in town," said Brian Murphy, a spokesman for the Anchorage firefighters' union. "We want to continue to have long-term relationships with current Assembly members. And we don't think this is an appropriate forum for us."
Negotiations are underway between the city and police and fire unions, and the Assembly will eventually be asked to ratify those contracts, Murphy said.
"To us, it's just not appropriate," Murphy said.
Earlier Thursday, the co-founder of United for Liberty, Michael Chambers, said he was disappointed in the unions' decision not to participate.
"They do have strong positions, and I think they should come represent," Chambers said. "I think they owe it to the public, when paid by public funds."
After hearing union representatives had declined to participate, Craig Fleener, the former Fish and Game commissioner who was a candidate for lieutenant governor this year before dropping out of the race to pave the way for the Walker-Mallott "unity ticket," and Terrence Shanigan, an investigator with Alaska State Troopers, offered to present talking points, Chambers said. Fleener and Shanigan, neither of whom is officially affiliated with the "No on 1" campaign, were listed as representing the "no" side on an emailed debate invitation.
The invitation also described the debate format: Each side had been asked to put together five questions for the other, and four questions would be taken from audience members.
But Thursday afternoon, Chambers said the debate was being modified to "more of an educational dialogue." He said that decision came after Evans and Hall expressed reservations about the original format in the absence of union representatives.
Evans said he sent an email earlier Thursday indicating to Chambers that he and Hall are "not interested in some kind of 'faux debate.'"
"I think it's unfortunate they won't be participating," Evans said of the unions' decision to decline. "I personally feel that there would be certainly no retribution for them participating that would in any way affect the bargaining process."
He and Hall both said they sought an opinion from the municipality's legal department before agreeing to participate. In an email, municipal attorney Dennis Wheeler confirmed his department's analysis that elected officials are able to speak on any topic, which includes participating in debates.
"There are restrictions related to the expenditure of municipal funds, but those don't apply here," Wheeler wrote, referencing the United for Liberty event.
Hall also said Thursday that he and Evans are appearing as themselves, not as affiliates of the "Yes on 1" campaign.
As part of the new format, the Asssembly members said they will be present Friday night to answer questions and discuss the labor law, and Chambers said there will now be room for more audience questions. Fleener and Shanigan will also still be present to discuss the process surrounding the labor law since it was first introduced a year and a half ago, Chambers said.
The event is being held in the Anchorage Assembly chambers at Z.J. Loussac Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Friday.