Nation Alaska ferry workers go on strike for first time in 42 years: ‘We have tried and tried to work with the state’ July 25, 2019 Kristin Lam, USA TODAY Comments Off on Alaska ferry workers go on strike for first time in 42 years: ‘We have tried and tried to work with the state’ Hundreds of Alaska ferry workers went on strike on Wednesday, shutting down the marine highway system that serves as a lifeline for rural areas.