White Pass Railroad Staff Unionize, Boosting Workforce

0:00It's April 22nd. You're listening to Anchorage News today. AI-powered local news. I'm Cory with the story. The White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, with about 180 employees, mostly in Skagway, hauls hundreds of thousands of passengers yearly, through stunning scenic routes from that tourist spot. They already had three union contracts covering nearly half the workforce, including Teamsters and Teamsters Canada Reps for Coach Cleaners and Maintenance Crews on both US and Canadian sides. Earlier this month, on April 8th, the onboard guest staff stepped up and voted to join the Smart TD local chapter, doubling the unionized ranks. That crew includes tour guides, announcers, crew shift greeters, and folks who stock the train cars between runs. Next comes a negotiating team hashing out a tentative deal, followed by a vote to seal it. Both sides sound optimistic, with the railroad praising its union history and ready to collaborate with the new group.