Coho Fishing Job
Dear Editor: You want to wake up in your own bed, not get fish poisoning or the mental abuse most ‘‘know-it-all’’ captains inflict upon you. Figure this out. In Seattle, minimum wage is $15 an hour. Let’s say 12-hour days, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 8 hours times $15 an hour plus 4 hours times $22.50 (overtime) plus Saturday 12 times $22.50 plus (double time) Sunday $30 times 12 hours or $1,650 per week, minimum wage.
Do you think it’s going to be harder to get cold storage workers and deckhands next year? Work harder for less money after spending plane fare to go where it costs more?
If we don’t match the $15 an hour, the consequences will be across the board by next year.
Grant Thompson, Sitka
DOT 20-Year Plan
Dear Editor: DOT’s 20-year plan: More roads, fewer ferries.
B.C. Canada has an excellent ferry system for their coastal communities. With Alaska’s government so determined to do away with S.E. ferries, we might need their help. Our ferry funding went to the big oil companies. On the repeal to the giveaway to big oil, Southeast voted 2,353 yes to 1,133 no on this Aug. 19 (numbers from the Legislative Office.
Doris Smith, Sitka
