Governor Reportedly Appoints Labor Rep to Employer Seat on WCB

Friday, February 23, 2018 | 0

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker reportedly appointed a labor representative to fill a seat on the Workers’ Compensation Board that is reportedly required by law to be filled by a person representing employers, according to website mustreadalaska.com.

Gov. Bill Walker

Walker’s office has not released a statement announcing any appointments to the WCB. But mustreadalaska.com reports that the governor appointed Chad Bolduc to replace Chuck Collins, an employer representative whose term expires March 1.

Bolduc, according to mustreadalaska.com, was a state employee and served on the board of directors for the Alaska Public Employees Association/Alaska Federation of Teachers. He is also a former union representative for the Maine State Employees Association, according to the website.

If confirmed by the Legislature, the appointment of Bolduc would give labor a 10-8 majority on the Workers’ Compensation Board.

State law requires that the board consist of nine three-person panels. The Labor and Workforce Development commissioner or a designated hearing officer must fill one seat on each of the panels, along with “a representative of industry and a representative of labor” who are appointed by the governor.

If Bolduc is designated as a labor representative, the WCB’s 1st Judicial District would consist of two labor representatives until at least March 1, 2019, when Austin Bradley’s term expires.