Hundreds of Alaska ferry workers go on strike

Juneau, Alaska (AP) - A spokesman for a union representing workers for the Alaska ferry system says the union has gone on strike.

Hundreds of ferry workers went on strike Wednesday after failing to reach agreement on a contract with state negotiators.

Robb Arnold, a spokesman for Alaska's Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific, said the strike began Wednesday afternoon after a meeting with state officials did not yield an agreement. He said the union remains open to a deal.

"Unfortunately, we had to take this action," he said. Eighty-six percent of the union's membership had earlier authorized a...