Kootenay Lake ferry strike to end as mediation continues [Video]

The end is in sight for a long-running ferry strike on B.C.’s Kootenay Lake, as striking workers say they will end their job action on Friday as mediated talks between them and their employer continue.

Employees represented by the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) have been in some form of job action since October and officially went on strike on Nov. 3, reducing the daily ferries to essential service levels only.

Private company Western Pacific Marine (WPM) operates the Kootenay Bay to Balfour ferry route across the lake, as well as cable ferries to and from the communities of Harrop, Procter and Glade, under contract by the B.C. government.

In a bid to resolve the job action that had left many residents of the area frustrated and stranded, the B.C. government had appointed veteran labour mediator Vince Ready to work with the union and company and potentially resolve the strike.

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