History
Public Employees shares a rich history with LIUNA. The men and women of LIUNA built America Building America has always been challenging and rewarding, but never easy or privileged. Throughout U.S. and Canadian history, construction laborers have played a central role. Construction workers often came from groups discriminated against by society. While the work was difficult, dirty and dangerous in urban areas, in the countryside, where canals and railroads were being built by hand, there were no unions even for the crafts. Wages often averaged $ 1 per day. Death and injury from accidents were a constant risk. In response to these harsh conditions, workers started to join together in their own local unions in the last half of the 19th Century. Some Chicago laborers formed their own union in 1861. These early city-focused unions were often organized on ethnic lines or by the specific craft they tended.
Specialties
Public Employees Local 71 is a Labor Union representing Labor Trades and Crafts positions with the State of Alaska. We also represent a number of positions with the Municipality of Anchorage, Anchorage School District, Haines Borough and the City of Dillingham. As a part of the services we provide, we have an Employment Referral Program where we call persons who sign up with us for the positions we represent with the above listed entities.