On July 22, 1986, the City and Borough of Juneau found yet another $1.4 million increase in its deficit, totaling $3.7 million rather than the estimated $3.4 million announced earlier in the month. After deciding that CBJ employees would accept a pay freeze for the time-being, CBJ decided a new breakdown of its budget blows by sector, with schools taking the biggest hit at $1,752,000. Other steep cuts included school bond repayments at $650,000, revenue sharing at $410,000 and health clinics at $120,000.
With the new cuts coming into play, the Juneau Education Association called a meeting to order with its fellow union members to discuss pay issues. Originally, the union had merely delayed wage discussions to the end of the summer.
Statewide, discussions regarding pay remains strained, with many state employees upset and feeling like they were not being told enough details about the state’s budget. Workers struggled, balancing worries of possibly losing their jobs to not being able to meet living expenses with shortened wages.
— “This Day in Juneau History” is compiled by Empire intern Tasha Elizarde, who sums up the day’s events — 30 years ago — by perusing Empire archives. To learn more about the project, click here.
