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Alaska Salmon Industry Needs Workers Immediately

Jun. 25, 2003
No. 03-24

Salmon processing companies want to hire Alaskans immediately to fillet, value-add, can and freeze salmon. "This is a opportune time to work at a seasonal job, earn money fast and build a useful work history," said Greg O'Claray, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

At the Anchorage Midtown Job Center, seafood recruiters Melody Dosier and Nelson San Juan report that seafood company hiring managers are calling to fill hundreds of jobs in King Cove, Pedersen Point, Togiak and Cordova. "Typically the sockeye salmon run peaks the first week of July in Bristol Bay. Most Bristol Bay operators who have contacted us advance transportation and provide room and board. Pay starts at $7.15 per hour plus overtime during peak season, which is paid at time and a half, or $10.72 per hour," said San Juan.

In mid-July when workers complete their contracts in Bristol Bay, they have the opportunity to relocate through Labor's Traveling Seafood Workforce program to other parts of Alaska where seafood companies still need workers to process salmon. A representative from Labor's seafood employment team will be available in Naknek from July 7 to 10 to assist workers who want to relocate and continue to earn money processing salmon in other parts of the state.

Large numbers of seafood workers are needed to start immediately and for the next five and up to eight weeks in Bristol Bay, Kenai, the Cordova/Valdez area, and in various locations throughout Southeast Alaska. (Note: some companies provide transportation to work sites and have room and board incentives, dependent upon completion of the work contract.)

Location Seafood Processor Openings
Cordova 5 IMMEDIATE OPENINGS
Egegik/Coffee Pt. 80 Openings
Homer 20 Openings (Dock Workers)
Juneau 20 Openings starting mid-June
Kenai 14 Openings
Ketchikan 30 Openings starting July 3
King Cove 20 Immediate Openings
Larsen Bay 40 Immediate Openings
Mekoryuk 5 Immediate Openings
Naknek 30 Immediate Openings
Togiak 25 Immediate Openings
Pedersen Point 50 Immediate Openings
Quinhagak 10 Immediate Openings
Sitka 45 Openings
Wrangell 30 Openings

There are three ways to find information on seafood processing jobs:

1. Contact your nearest Alaska Job Center and speak to a Seafood Specialist

2. Call toll-free in Alaska 1-800-473-0688

3. Go to the Seafood Jobs In Alaska web site: jobs.alaska.gov and click on "Seafood Jobs" and on "Current Openings" and search by location. Referral instructions and a seafood application are online to be printed out and faxed.

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