ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ALASKA ONSHORE PROCESSOR WORKERS

Many processing plants offer some or all of their employees fully or partially subsidized dormitory or camping facilities. The more remotely located plants almost always provide housing to all of their employees. Partially subsidized housing can cost $2–$8 a day for a tent platform at the local city-operated tent city, or up to $15 per day for a nice dormitory-style room. Fortunately, many plants refund all housing costs to those employees who stay for the duration of the season, rewarding them for their dedication. You will find that costs vary from place to place. You may also find that a few companies even pay employees extra wages to seek housing elsewhere. Free housing can range from a nice dorm room to a place to pitch your tent.

For the most part, plants that have on-site dormitories or bunkhouses give employees a room that is shared with one to five other people. Better facilities have a television, VCR, laundry room, and shared bathrooms with showers. It's quite common to find the cafeteria (if they have one) next door. During our travels through salmon country, we have seen living quarters located right next to the main processing house, directly across the street, and spread out over the company's property. It seems every company has its own plan and every set of living quarters its own best—and worst—attributes. On a recent trip, we saw that one large company had actually brought a barge up from Seattle, parked it next to the plant, and had put temporary portable housing units onto it . In yet another town, one small processing plant had converted an old school bus into sleeping quarters just behind the facility.

For more information about onshore accommodations, see The Journey North

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