Ferries to remote Kootenay towns ordered to return to regular service after strike cut crossings by 90%

The BC Labour Relations Board has ordered striking BC General Employees Union workers to ensure ferry services to remote Kootenay towns return to their normal schedules immediately.

The union, which is still on strike, had succeeded in getting ferry services to Glade and Harrop cut by 90%, with the new schedule set to take effect Monday.

On their website, ferry operator Western Pacific Marine announced Sunday evening that the board had "ruled in favour of WPM’s application for a stay," thus, "Cable Ferry operations will continue indefinitely as NORMAL from January 6th."

In a notice obtained by the Western Standard, WPM's Marine Superintendent Capt. James Maung thanked community members for their "patience and support during this period of uncertainty." The company added that it was "committed to maintaining seamless operations moving forward."

The ferries are a lifeline for the towns of Harrop, Procter, and Glade, all of which are only accessible via ferry. The former two are located 20km northeast of Nelson while the former is 20km to the southwest.

In late December, the Labour Relations Board agreed to allow BCGEU employees to strike, but maintained that the cable ferries were an essential service. It was decided that the ferry to Harrop would run eight round trip crossings per day, and the Glade ferry would run 16.

The strike will still impact other ferries on Kootenay Lake.