Job action to cut some B.C. inland ferries sailings by 50% [Video]

The union representing workers on a number of inland ferries say the number of sailings on some routes in British Columbia’s Kootenays will be cut in half as job action continues.

The B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) says unionized employees of ferry operator WaterBridge have suspended an overtime ban, which was enacted on Sept. 28, and sailings will move instead to a fixed but reduced schedule.

The union says sailings at Upper Arrow Lake were reduced by 50 per cent as of Friday afternoon, meaning every second round-trip has been cancelled.

As of Saturday at 5 a.m., the ferries at Needles, Arrow Park and Adams Lake will operate on a reduced schedule, according to the union.

There will also be a 50 per cent reduction in sailings on the Kootenay Lake Ferry, which is operated by Western Pacific Marine, starting Saturday at 6 a.m. The union says return crossings from …