Contract Positions Reduced at Marine Terminal

Eight contract Maintenance positions were reduced at the Valdez Terminal on Friday, January 15. The reduction was in response to the low price of oil. Maintenance work normally done by these positions will be completed by Alyeska technicians. Special project work later this year may result in the temporary return of some of these positions, based on work load.

These positions were staffed by AHTNA Construction, which provides personnel for baseline work at the Marine Terminal. Alyeska Pipeline anticipates some additional contractor workforce reductions at the Valdez Marine Terminal due to the continued low oil prices.

Work Environment Survey Results

Alyeska Pipeline presented the results of a “work environment” survey to employees last week. The survey was conducted by Little Harbor Consultants who have been brought in to advise Alyeska Pipeline on creating an open business environment. Little Harbor Consultants interviewed 452 employees and contractors on the Trans Alaska Pipeline System, approximately one-quarter of the TAPS workforce. The key results from the structured interviews are:

• 100% of those interviewed said they would report a concern that could impact pipeline integrity, environmental impact or regulatory compliance.
• 47% did not understand the importance of the company strategy of “Operational Excellency by 2000”.
• There is a high level of trust within work groups and 87% of employees trust their direct supervisors.
• There is a low level of trust of in Employee Concerns Program (ECP) and half of those who used the Employee Concerns Program were dissatisfied with the results.
• One-third of those interviewed reported that Harassment, Intimidation, Retaliation and Discrimination experiences have affected their willingness to raise concerns.

Bob Malone, Alyeska Pipeline President and CEO/COO, will have an action plan to begin addressing the results of the survey in early February.

Billie Garde of Little Harbor Consultants stated, “The survey pinpoints Alyeska’s strengths and weaknesses and will allow the company to focus on and fix what’s really broken.”

Back to top