JUNEAU - Attorney General Kevin Clarkson’s office is seeking to hire outside attorneys to help defend his decision that changes are needed in the way Alaska collects union dues.
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A request for proposals, issued Thursday, estimates a budget of $500,000 to $600,000 for the work.
In an early blow to the state, a judge has granted a public employee union's request to block while the case is heard implementation of Clarkson's opinion and a subsequent administrative order from Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
[Judge extends pause on Dunleavy administration’s attempt to change union opt-in procedures]
Clarkson said the state isn’t fully compliant with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that found government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining.
Superior Court Judge Gregory Miller, in a preliminary ruling, said the state’s new policy is “unsupported by applicable case law.”