Media Advisory for:
Friday, March 8th 4pm

Contact:
Trina Arnold 907-617-4664
Robb Arnold 907-321-3621
trina@ibu.org
Robojuno91@yahoo.com

Juneau & Ketchikan rallies will defend communities
threatened by deep cuts to Alaska ferry service
Concerned workers, families and elected officials are supporting rallies in Juneau and Ketchikan this
Friday afternoon to protest Governor’s proposed deep budget cuts to Alaska’s Marine Highway – a
system connecting 33 communities throughout the state to the lower 48.
The Juneau event will take place on Friday, March 8th at 4 pm on the Juneau side the Douglas Bridge.
The Ketchikan event will take place at 4pm on the corner of Tongass and Jefferson.
“We’re speaking up for almost 300,000 ferry customers who live in communities that can’t afford to
lose this critical lifeline,” says Trina Arnold, IBU’s Alaska Regional Director for over 400 ferry
workers employed by the Marine Highway System.
“People all over the state are just beginning to hear about these drastic cuts – and most are shocked or
angry to learn they could lose such an essential service that connects people to their families, jobs,
hospitals, doctors, food supplies and college,” she says.
Alaska residents make up 70% of the ferry system’s passengers. Most of the remaining 30% are
summer-season tourists. Ironically, the governor’s proposed budget cut would slash service for most
residents – while protecting most of the ferry service for tourists.
“I’m especially concerned about all the military families who use the ferries to reach their posts in
Alaska said Arnold. “We see so many people in uniform who will suffer if those cuts happen,”
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