Veteran mediator Vince Ready has been called in to resolve a labour dispute that has left the Kootenay Lake ferry running on essential service-only since last fall. Read More
Service across Kootenay Lake has been limited by labour action since last October
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Veteran mediator Vince Ready has been called in to resolve a labour dispute that has left the Kootenay Lake ferry running on essential service-only since last fall.
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Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside announced the appointment of a special mediator in a news release on Sunday, while urging the employer, Western Pacific Marine, and its BCGEU-represented employees to come to the table.
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“Residents use the Kootenay Lake ferries to get to work, go to school, access services and stay connected to their communities,” Whiteside said. “The ongoing labour dispute has been disruptive to daily life and the local economy.”
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Whiteside touted Ready’s lengthy record of ending labour disputes and said she expects the two sides to bargain fairly while keeping ferries running for Kootenay residents and travellers.
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If a deal isn’t struck in two weeks, Ready will issue recommendations for ending the labour action.
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Both the B.C. General Employees’ Union and Western Pacific Marine, which runs the inland ferry for the B.C. Ministry of Transportation, say they welcome the appointment and will work with Ready on a solution. The employer reiterated that it would prefer binding arbitration, but agreed to the union’s request for a special mediator.
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While the labour dispute continues, travellers are advised to check DriveBC.ca for daily cancellations and essential service runs.
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