Posted on 09/05/2009 2:41:02 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Workers in Alaska avoid chill of recession
By Cameron Dueck in Tuktoyaktuk, Canada
Published: September 3 2009 20:57 | Last updated: September 3 2009 20:57
A caribou stands in front of a refinery in Alaska’s North Slope, where unemployment is lower than elsewhere because of the surging oil industry
First it was The Deadliest Catch, then The Ice Truckers and now even Jesse James is a Dead Man has ventured north. Americans cannot get enough reality television coverage of their hardworking Arctic neighbours. While the recession may mean those in the south have more time to watch TV, the Arctic is still hard at work.
A boom in oil and gas exploration, steady funding for climate change research and a scarcity of people willing to brave the Arctic chill for a pay cheque mean that US and Canadian communities along the Arctic shores have not felt the economic downturn as much as those further south.
“Pay is double here compared with Bakersfield, California, where I came from,” said Mariano “Junior” Bascon, who moved north several years ago to join the growing Filipino community in Barrow, Alaska.
He earns $16 (£9.80, €11.20) per hour as a custodian at the local high school – double his California wage – and has no plans to return to warmer climes any time soon.
“When I speak to my friends they all say they’re having their hours cut back or they are losing their jobs. Here there is plenty of work. But things are expensive – a gallon of milk is $10 here,” Mr Bascon said.
(Excerpt) Read more at ft.com ...
Ping!
Way back when I developed a desire to see Alaska. Sgt. Preston of the Yukon! Mush you huskies! In December 1967 I got my wish.
Our return flight from Viet Nam was routed through Alaska. Alaska look absolutely beautiful through the windows of the 707. After the tropics the snow looked refreshing. We left the Delta in 100 degree weather.
We landed and deplaned for refueling in below 0 weather. We wore kaiki uniforms. Inside the terminal it was a cozy 45 - people were wearing parkas. It cured me of ever again wanting to go to Alaska.
That's too bad. You're missing out on one of the greatest places that God created. I lived there as a child just as it achieved statehood in 1959, and went back for a visit in October 2001.
I plan to drive the Dalton Highway next summer, from Fairbanks to the North Slope, and get the T-shirt.
I can’t handle cold or biting flies.
You may also have heard that the misquito is the official Alaska State bird:)
I heard about one taking on 50 gallons of fuel when it landed at a helipad.
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