Skip to content

Kootenay Lake ferries could be shut down by strike Thursday

It's the second strike notice issued as labour talks continue
16007772_web1_180524-CVA-Jesse-Willicome_1
The Kootenay Lake ferry. (Dan Seguin)

The union representing Kootenay Lake ferry workers says its members could be on strike as early as Thursday afternoon.

A spokesperson for the B.C. General Employees' Union said Wednesday that a 72-hour strike notice was issued to Western Pacific Marine on Monday. It's the second such notice in a month as both sides continue labour negotiations.

Western Pacific Marine manages the ferry that runs on Kootenay Lake between Balfour and Kootenay Bay. It also operates two cable ferries at Harrop and Glade.

BCGEU represents 80 employees of Western Pacific Marine who work as ferry operators, engineers, deckhands, terminal attendants and masters. 

Western Pacific Marine, which said in a statement it received an essential services designation from the Labour Board of British Columbia, said it will continue to work toward a new collective agreement.

"The community and the residents to whom we provide essential service are our top priority; we will make every effort to ensure we meet the needs of the communities we serve."

BCGEU is also currently in labour negotiations with WaterBridge Ferries, which runs three routes on the Arrow Lakes and another northeast of Kamloops. The strike notice does not apply to those routes.



About the Author: Nelson Star Staff

Read more