Image: Province of B.C. / Photo of the M.V. Osprey 2000 which holds 80 vehicles and 250 passengers for runs across Kootenay Lake between Balfour and Kootenay Bay .

By Don Mitchell

strike action

Operator of Kootenay Lake ferries says service affected by strike

Nov 3, 2024 | 4:09 PM

BALFOUR, B.C. – The company that operates ferries in B.C.’s interior says strike action by unionized workers impacted service on its Kootenay Lake sailings on Sunday.

In a social media post, Western Pacific Marine (WPM) said it had revised its Balfour / Kootenay Bay route Sunday, by scheduling the last sailing at 10:40 a.m. amid the start of “full strike action” by the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) just after noon.

In a statement, a WPM spokesperson said the Balfour / Kootenay Lake run is the only route affected.

“The Glade and Harrop Cable ferries will continue to run as normally scheduled,” WPM explained in a statement.

“The Kootenay Lake ferry will sail three times daily – Monday to Friday only, unless there’s an emergency.”

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This escalation follows a rejected offer by the BCGEU on the weekend that it characterized as “unsatisfactory.”

The union maintains WPM’s offer falls short of a late October tentative agreement it settled with WaterBridge Ferries and Waterbridge Equipment, which also operate inland ferries in the Kootenays and Southbank in northwest B.C., respectively.

The BCGEU said that job action was an ‘overtime ban’ connected to negotiations seeking wage increases in line with those received by B.C. Ferries workers.

“This strike reflects ferry workers’ determination to achieve industry-aligned conditions and hold Western Pacific Marine accountable to fair standards,” the union said prior to a rally at the Balfour terminal on Sunday.

WPM general manager Odai Sirri told Fraser Valley Today in an email that the agency was “disappointed” their latest offer was refused.

Odai says the sides have agreed to the BCGEU’s demands over a three-year term, in addition to increased extended health benefits, allowances, and safety equipment.

“We are disappointed that despite agreeing to the union proposals for wage increases and additional compensation to our workers, we still cannot reach a new collective agreement,” Odai said.

“We believe Western Pacific Marine’s proposal to be more than fair, and we look forward to ongoing talks with the BCGEU to reach an agreement our employees will be happy with.”

WPM operates ferries for the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and the British Columbia Ferry Corporation.

The agency is recommending residents and passengers stay up to date on potential ferry sailings changes by checking the WPM website at www.westernpacificmarine.com