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Originally posted Dec.10, 2003
B.C. Ferries shutting down
WebPosted Dec 23 2003 03:27 PM PST |
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VANCOUVER -
Ferry service ground to a halt along the B.C. coast Wednesday afternoon as picket lines went
up, and ferries make their last runs.
The walkout by the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers' Union began at noon, after
the provincial government refused to lift a cooling-off period.
Ferry union offers to resume service
Labour Minister Graham Bruce had imposed the 80-day cooling-off period on Tuesday – after
two days of disruptive and chaotic strike action by the ferry workers.
The union then issued an ultimatum to Bruce – rescind the order or face a total strike.
B.C. Ferries' labour update
B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers' Union
Union president Jackie Miller met with Bruce Wednesday morning in Victoria, asking the minister
to revoke the cooling-off period, a government move she says inflamed the situation.
"We have explained as clearly as we can to the minister that we want to have our right to strike back.
"We want to get to the table to have meaningful negotiations with the employer and we are hoping the minister will do the right thing
and give us back our right to strike," says Miller.
But Bruce says the cooling-off period is actually meant to help the sides reach an agreement.
"All the cooling off did was to try and calm things down. There was a lot of consternation and tension at the ferry terminals
during the course of yesterday (Tuesday) morning," he says. "And it was incumbent upon me to take some action at that point."
Gov't moves to end ferry
strike
The Early Edition's Rick Cluff speaks with Graham Bruce Wednesday morning. (Runs 5:33) 
Powell River residents 'strike' back
A small group of Powell River residents blocked a ferry from leaving
for Comox late Wednesday morning, refusing to get off the ferry ramp.
CHQB radio manager Bob McInnis says the group was trying to give ferry
workers a taste of their own medicine.
He says many residents of Powell River are feeling desperate, because the
strike cuts them off from many outside supplies, which are trucked in using
the ferry system.
McInnes predicts the strike will lead to store closures and layoffs.
But the president of a barge company disputes that assertion. Craig Long
who runs City Tranfer, says grocery and liquor trucks have been barged into
POwell River for years.
Union could face heavy price
Union members could be hit with fines and suspensions for their all-out strike action, in defiance of the government order.
Vancouver labour lawyer Gavin Marshall says B.C. Ferries would likely take
its case to the Labour Relations Board.
"And the board would have jurisdiction to determine whether the walk out
and the refusal to obey the order constitute an illegal strike," he says.
If the board were to rule that the strike is illegal, the province could
then target
union members with fines or suspensions.
A past president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union says
union leaders would face the toughest penalties if an illegal strike drags
on.
"It's quite possible for the government or the courts to single out a union
leader, to go after the union leaders' own personal assets or homes,"
says John Shields.
Shields says the province could go as far as to decertify the union, but
says he doubts that will happen.
He notes the ferry workers have special training, and the province would
risk
a long-term shutdown of ferry service if it pushes the union too hard, and
workers refuse to return to their jobs.
The Early Edition's Rick Cluff speaks with Capt. Tom McNeilage, who
speaks for the ships' officers and B.C. Ferries President David Hahn. (Runs
9:49)
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