Image: Province of B.C. / A photo of the Upper Arrow Lake Ferry in B.C.'s Kootenays. The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) alerted the public that the ferry would be canceled amid a job action on Sept. 29, 2024.

By Don Mitchell

Kootenay Ferries

Ferry trips in the Kootenays halted due to job action: union

Sep 29, 2024 | 4:32 PM

BURNABY – The union representing about 90 staff members who operate inland ferries in the Kootenays says it has started a job action that could affect four routes in the coming days.

On Sunday, the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) alerted the public that Upper Arrow Lake sailings between Shelter Bay and Galena Bay, south of Revelstoke, would be canceled after 3 p.m.

The BCGEU says the work stoppage is an ‘overtime ban’ connected to negotiations seeking wage increases in line with those received by B.C. Ferries workers.

Routes affected by the job action include:

• Upper Arrow Lake Ferry – between Shelter Bay and Galena Bay
• Needles Ferry – between Fauquier and Needles
• Arrow Park Ferry – at the junction of Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes
• Adams Lake Ferry – between Chase and Sorrento

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All are operated by WaterBridge Ferries.

BCGEU President Paul Finch says around 30 percent of the hours worked on inland ferries in the Kootenays are overtime, and staffing shortages are leaving workers ‘incredibly stretched.”

“In our members’ opinion, this has created a dangerous situation that must stop,” Finch said on Friday.

“WaterBridge knows what it will take to recruit and retain the experienced staff needed to operate these crucial ferries: increasing local training and a compensation increase equal to that of the recent BC ferries’ adjustments.”

The Kootenay Lake Ferry, Glade Cable, and Harrop Cable ferries are not affected by the job action since they are operated by Western Pacific Marine.

In a social media post following the union’s announcement, WaterBridge told travellers that it would do its best to keep communities informed, but it is not privy to which routes may be halted.

“Please understand that this is strike action and that the BCGEU is in the position to affect any of the four vessels we operate with little to no warning,” Waterbridge said.

The company is urging riders to check with DriveBC to see if routes are affected.