Kootenay Lake ferry strike to end as mediation continues
Long-running job dispute has left some residents frustrated, but union cites breakthrough in mediation
The end is in sight for a long-running ferry strike on B.C.'s Kootenay Lake, as striking workers say they will end their job action on Friday as mediated talks between them and their employer continue.
Employees represented by the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) have been in some form of job action since October and officially went on strike on Nov. 3, reducing the daily ferries to essential service levels only.
Private company Western Pacific Marine (WPM) operates the Kootenay Bay to Balfour ferry route across the lake, as well as cable ferries to and from the communities of Harrop, Procter and Glade, under contract by the B.C. government.
In a bid to resolve the job action that had left many residents of the area frustrated and stranded, the B.C. government had appointed veteran labour mediator Vince Ready to work with the union and company and potentially resolve the strike.
On Wednesday, the BCGEU issued a statement that said there had been a breakthrough in talks, and both the union and WPM would submit outstanding matters in the labour dispute to Ready for a binding recommendation.
As a result, the union said the strike would end on Friday morning, and there would be an oral hearing in the coming weeks with the mediator before a recommendation was presented to both parties.
"A number of key issues that were previously contentious have now been resolved, and we're confident that the remaining matters can be fairly settled by Mr. Ready," said BCGEU president Paul Finch in the statement.
Finch said that bargaining had hit a setback when WPM unexpectedly reduced its wage offer, but Ready's involvement had helped move the process forward.
"By agreeing to a binding recommendation, we are confident that an agreement can be reached that will resolve key issues and ensure the long-term stability of the Kootenay Lake Ferry Service," the union president said.
Western Pacific general manager Odai Sirri told CBC News that he was pleased on Wednesday, and he was looking forward to the strike ending.
Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside thanked Ready for his work on the "incredibly important" file.
"This is welcome news for residents who rely on the Kootenay Lake ferries," she said in a statement. "I want to recognize their patience and resilience during the service interruptions."
No alternative to some ferries
Those who take the Kootenay Lake ferry from Balfour or Kootenay Bay, can take Highway 3A to other communities.
However, the Kootenay Pass section of Highway 3A is frequently closed during the cold months due to avalanche control work.
For residents in Harrop, Procter and Glade, there is no alternative to the cable ferry.
About 600 people live in the Harrop-Procter area, and about 300 people live in Glade.
Megan Rokeby-Thomas, the owner of Ladybug Coffee near the Kootenay Bay ferry terminal, said she was driving when she got a text from Sarah Penton, the host of CBC's Radio West, informing her that the end of the strike was in sight.
"I pulled over right away and ... was so happy and so thankful," she said. "Tried to continue driving and I ended up having to pull over again because I just had tears of joy that were just overwhelming."
Rokeby-Thomas said her community could "finally have some sanity back" after the nearly six-month-long strike, and acknowledged that tensions had risen between striking crewmembers and residents over the strike's duration.
"If there's any word I want to take into the future, right now, it's building," the business owner said.
"We need to build strong, stable systems with our ferries, with our economy."
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With files from Radio West and Corey Bullock