Fairbanks International Airport, or FAI, Field Maintenance workers have had enough.
This story starts out with FAI Field Maintenance employees recently learning that the state had a letter of agreement for FAI employees, back in February of 2022, to receive “mission critical incentive pay” — MCIP — which would have secured a 30% raise.
What’s important to recognize is that these moneys do not come from any state funding or budget, but from fees collected from carriers — Alaska Airlines, Everts Air Cargo, Delta Airlines and many more that fly daily in and out of FAI. These moneys are to cover adequate wage scale needed for employees at FAI. This plan was to hire and retain employees by paying them a higher wage. Our airport, FAI, data shows a need for a 30% higher rate to be comparable to local equipment operators and service wages in Fairbanks. Last year, FAI employees were given a 3% raise to adjust to inflation, the first in 10 years.
Fairbanks Department of Transportation, Union Local 71 and FAI managers have spent the past months trying to get legislation to part with this money. Back-and-forth reasons and blaming of officials is the beating we get.
As of March 24, the message from FAI Airport is the airlines think we are getting these moneys, as we know that Anchorage International Airport, or ANC, and other airports throughout the state have, but we have not. It’s crucial to note that FAI is the diversionary airport for ANC especially due to bad weather. ANC is No. 3 in the world for international heavy cargo flights, and FAI is the alternate.
The result of playing with provided money that is not from a voted budget is actually fraud. So, where is the money? Who is benefiting from it?
— Brock Gardner
FAI Field Maintenance employee
Fairbanks
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