Panic in tiny Kootenay towns as local ferry strike escalates

A sense of panic is growing in tiny southeast British Columbia communities around Kootenay Lake over fears they will be cut off from their neighbours and jobs by an escalating ferry service labour dispute, according to a local businesswoman.

The West Kootenay communities of Harrop, Procter and Glade could see their cable ferry service reduced after a B.C. Labour Relations Board ruling permitted expansion of a strike that has already limited sailings on the major Kootenay Lake routes.

Those who take the Kootenay Lake ferry, from Balfour or Kootenay Bay, can take Highway 3A to other communities.

But for residents in Harrop, Procter and Glade, there is no alternative to the cable ferry.

WATCH | Kootenay ferry job action to escalate: 

Kootenay residents worried as striking ferry workers propose to further restrict service

20 days ago

Duration 2:27

Some Kootenay Lake residents are concerned after the union representing striking inland ferry workers applied to extend the job action to the Harrop and Glade cable ferries. The move would further restrict access to the communities. Corey Bullock reports.

"Everybody's panicked here," said Melinda Foot, co-owner of the Procter General Store.

"It's a five-minute crossing that takes us over to all the rest of our communities, Nelson, Balfour," she said Monday. "The ferry we're taking here is our only exit. We have no back road. We have no logging road. We have nothing over here beyond this tiny little convenience store."

B.C. General Employees' Union workers have been on strike since Nov. 3, seeking wage increases, scheduling adjustments and extended benefits for auxiliary workers from employer Western Pacific Marine.

The labour board on Friday granted the union approval to reduce service of the Harrop-Procter ferry to eight round trips daily and 16 round trips for the Glade ferry, with the decision effective Monday.

The Harrop ferry usually runs on a 24-hour on-demand schedule, while the Glade ferry's regular schedule is 5 a.m. to 2:20 a.m. PT.

A statement from the union says it was reviewing the order, and seeking clarification from the labour board on some points.

"We recognize the importance of holiday travel and want to assure residents that we do not expect any job action will take place until after the New Year's Day holiday," reads a statement from BCGEU president Paul Finch.

"If the employer does not come back to the table with a reasonable offer, we will proceed with escalated strike action once we have the needed clarity on the Labour Board's decision," it adds.

WATCH | Residents worry about then-looming strike: 

Kootenay residents worry as ferry strike and lockout looms

3 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.

Western Pacific Marine says on its website that the ferries will run as usual until Jan. 2. A new schedule for the rest of January "and onwards" will be posted late Tuesday, it says.

"We are disappointed with the LRB ruling to reduce cable ferry service to the Glade and Harrop communities," read a statement from Odai Sirri, the general manager of Western Pacific Marine, to CBC News.

"Western Pacific Marine is assessing all legal options available as we understand the significant impact this decision has on both Glade and Harrop."

About 600 people live in the Harrop-Procter area, and about 300 people live in Glade, the labour board ruling said.

"They keep telling us there will be a schedule of eight crossings, but they won't tell us what that schedule is," Foot said. "People are in fear of losing their jobs. They're trying to put boats in the water and cross our water in the dark in January."

The decision to grant the union's application to "adjust" service levels and amend an essential service order for the cable ferries serving Harrop, Procter and Glade will have an impact on residents but still maintains protection of community health and welfare, said labour board associate chair Andres Barker in the 15-page ruling.

"The amendments to the ESO contained in this decision will no doubt have some effect on the residents who rely on the ferry, and that may include some economic impacts and the inconvenience of planning set departure and arrival times like a typical ferry service despite previously being able to come and go at will," he said.

"However, I am satisfied that, based on the evidence currently before me, the levels established are those necessary or essential to prevent immediate and serious danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of British Columbia."