Alexander Sammon
Updated on: October 15, 2024 1:43 pm GMT
The lives of many residents in the West Kootenay region are intertwined with the local ferry services. A potential labour strike could have disrupted these essential transportation links as early as Thursday evening.
Negotiations at a Standstill
The B.C. General Employees Union (BCGEU) announced that it issued a 72-hour strike notice to both Western Pacific Marine and WaterBridge Ferries. This decision followed several months of unsuccessful negotiations for a new collective agreement. Paul Finch, president of the BCGEU, indicated that ferry workers are aware of how crucial these services are for their communities. However, he also emphasized that without meaningful action on recruitment and retention, the survival of these services is jeopardized.
Details on the Ferry Operations
Western Pacific Marine operates key ferry routes, including:
- The Kootenay Lake ferry, connecting Balfour and Kootenay Bay.
- Two cable ferries at Harrop and Glade.
WaterBridge Ferries oversees four additional routes:
- The Upper Arrow Lake route between Shelter Bay and Galena Bay.
- The Needles Ferry, linking Fauquier and Needles.
- The Arrow Park Ferry at the junction of Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes.
- The Adams Lake Ferry between Chase and Sorrento.
These ferry operators collectively manage a significant number of trips that cater to the daily needs of residents and tourists alike.
Union Concerns Over Pay
Finch noted that workers at Western Pacific Marine earn nearly 20 percent less than their counterparts employed by BC Ferries. This pay gap makes it significantly harder for these ferry services to attract and train qualified personnel. The BCGEU represents around 80 employees from Western Pacific Marine, including various roles such as:
- Ferry operators
- Engineers
- Deckhands
- Terminal attendants
- Masters
An additional 90 employees work for WaterBridge, highlighting the broad impact of these negotiations.
Earlier this month, a significant 97 percent of Western Pacific Marine members voted in favor of a strike mandate, indicating strong support for action if negotiations don’t progress.
Essential Services Designation
In response to the strike notice, Western Pacific Marine announced plans to seek an essential services designation from the Labour Board of British Columbia. The company aims to ensure that ferry services continue safely while negotiations progress. In a public statement, they reaffirmed their commitment to maintain open dialogue with the BCGEU, aiming for a collective agreement that works for both parties.
Commitment to Communities
“The community and the residents to whom we provide essential service are our top priority,” said a representative from Western Pacific Marine. They emphasized that every effort would be made to meet the needs of the communities they serve.
As negotiations moved to mediation, the ferry systems in West Kootenay, which many residents depend upon, remained operational. This development brought some relief to locals who rely on these ferry services for commuting, transporting goods, and accessing essential services.
The Way Forward
Residents and stakeholders are hopeful that mediation will lead to a swift resolution. The potential for a strike loomed, but with ferries still operating, the pressure mounts on both parties to come to a workable solution quickly.
In light of the recent developments, many community members are encouraging discussions on how the region can better support its ferry services and ensure they remain reliable for everyone.
Conclusion
The ongoing dispute about the West Kootenay ferries has shown some big problems with how much workers get paid and how long they stay on the job. As they get ready to talk things over, both the BCGEU and the ferry operators have a great chance to work things out. It’s important for them to team up to make sure workers get fair pay and good working conditions. This will help keep the ferries running, which are really important for the community. While they sort this out, people in the area are hopeful that things will turn out well and that the ferry services they depend on will continue.
