Job action to cut some B.C. inland ferries sailings by 50%

The union representing workers on a number of inland ferries say the number of sailings on some routes in British Columbia's Kootenays will be cut in half as job action continues.

The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) says unionized employees of ferry operator WaterBridge have suspended an overtime ban, which was enacted on Sept. 28, and sailings will move instead to a fixed but reduced schedule.

The union says sailings at Upper Arrow Lake were reduced by 50 per cent as of Friday afternoon, meaning every second round-trip has been cancelled.

As of Saturday at 5 a.m., the ferries at Needles, Arrow Park and Adams Lake will operate on a reduced schedule, according to the union.

BCGEU originally said there would also be a 50 per cent reduction in sailings on the Kootenay Lake Ferry, which is operated by Western Pacific Marine, but told CBC News on Saturday they had suspended job action there until further notice. The ferry route was not impacted. 

The union says emergency sailings on all routes will still go ahead. 

The inland ferries, which are operated by private companies but funded by the provincial government, are a part of B.C.'s highway system, acting as a bridge over certain waterways.

The job action was triggered after negotiations between unionized workers at WaterBridge broke down over disagreements around wage increases. Negotiations are also ongoing between the union and Western Pacific Marine.

WATCH | The importance of inland ferries: 

Kootenay residents worry as ferry strike and lockout looms

2 months ago

Duration 4:57

The union representing inland ferry workers at seven crossings in B.C.'s Kootenays has voted in favour of job action, while one of their employers has issued lockout notice. Megan Rokeby-Thomas of the Kootenay Lake Chamber of Commerce says that means hundreds of residents who rely on the ferry could be cut off from school, jobs and services.