The East Shore Mainstreet – Community supported independent news serving the East Shore of Kootenay Lake

Community members strive to communicate regarding the still ongoing ferry workers strike

January 6, 2025

Today, at the request of MP Rob Morrison a group of East Shore Community members including our RDCK Director Garry Jackman, met to discuss the current ferry crisis. Thank you Rob for reaching out to us. We had a great brainstorming session.

His recommendation is for the Provincial Government to enforce Binding Arbitration immediately. He has written a letter in our support and intends to reach out to our Provincial Ministers. We suggest that everyone write to the Minister of Labour and ask for Binding Arbitration immediately.

Minister Jennifer Whiteside

LBR.Minister@gov.bc.ca

We also have had three meetings on our tri ferry Committee (Harrop, Proctor, Glade and East Shore) and are glad to be working together to reach common goals.

We wish Harrop/Proctor and Glade success in their upcoming Labour Board Hearing. When the East Shore went through this in Nov, it was hard and we didn’t get the complete results we wanted.

We are also happy to have heard from Brittny Andersons office today and representatives from the tri ferry committee will be meeting with her assistant this week.

All of the Ferry Commitees individually and together, with the support of our RDCK Directors, and our MP, are looking at getting the proper systems and governance in place, that this can never, ever happen again.

We are essential.

Our Ferries are our Roads. Period.

– Megan Rokeby-Thomas, Owner of Ladybug Cafe

Template for letters of support regarding the Kootenay Lake Ferry strike:

Have you been impacted by the ongoing strike action?
On behalf of the Our Ferry Matters working group, I am asking you to make your voice heard.

Please send an email to the BC Minister of Labour requesting binding arbitration, in order to put an end to this lengthy dispute.
Copy the letter below and personalize it with YOUR reason for wanting binding arbitration.
Email your letter to the BC Labour Minister at:
LBR.Minister@gov.bc.ca

—————————-
(Insert date)

The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside
Minister of Labour
LBR.Minister@gov.bc.ca

I am writing to request that you implement binding arbitration to resolve the ongoing labour dispute between the BCGEU and Western Pacific Marine, which began on November 3, 2024.

The East Shore, Harrop Proctor, and Glade communities are all dependent on their ferries and have suffered undue stress due to this prolonged job action. This strike has put our communities in immediate and serious danger to our health, safety, and welfare, and has caused significant hardship for those relying on the Kootenay Lake ferry.

[Insert your personal story or reason for requesting binding arbitration.]

I urge you to act swiftly to mandate binding arbitration and bring this dispute to a fair resolution.

Sincerely,

[Insert your contact information]

January Update:

Unfortunately, the Kootenay Lake ferry workers remain on strike.

The Dec/Jan edition of the newspaper has been sent to email subscribers inboxes and is currently available for sale in stores on the East Shore. The Jan/Feb edition submission deadline is January 29, and will be published on February 03.

Email editor@eshore.ca to sign up to receive a digital subscription.

Submissions are always welcome! Tell us what you love about the East Shore or ramp up support for what you are passionate about. We also welcome general interest articles and stories from anywhere.

The Mainstreet is the East Shore Kootenay Lake forum for visitors and residents alike. Happy New Year!

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

PRINT/DIGITAL NEWSPAPER Feb/Mar edition – Jan 29

BETWEEN EDITIONS EMAIL March edition – Mar 02

Email editor@eshore.ca or call 250-551-8800

Kootenay Bay Ferry
Click refresh to see the traffic right now!

View a larger version.

Locally-owned, community supported independent news serving the East Shore of Kootenay Lake

Community members strive to communicate regarding the still ongoing ferry workers strike

Template for letters of support regarding the Kootenay Lake Ferry strike:

January Update:

CLICK HERE for Mainstreet Print/Digital Newspaper Subscription Options!