Ferry link planned to Vancouver International

[CanadaEH]

http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=community_home&articleID=1439483

Ferry Link Planned to Vancouver International Airport

VANCOUVER (CBC) - B.C. Ferry Services has rolled out an major expansion plan that includes ferry service from Vancouver Island directly to Vancouver International Airport.

CEO David Hahn says the new airport ferry terminal would tie in with the planned rapid-transit line from the airport to downtown Vancouver. Hahn says there's no decision whether it be a passenger-only vessel or a full-scale car ferry.

The airport service proposal is part of a $2-billion expansion that also includes 22 new vessels over 15 years. That expansion could add three new ferries with cruise-ship style amenities to northern B.C. runs. Consideration is also being given to charging an additional $5-a-ride levy to travellers who live outside B.C.

The president of the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers union says she's worried workers will pay the price for the expansion plan. Jackie Miller says she's concerned money will be found for expansion by rolling back workers wages and contracting out.

She also fears northern ferry runs could end up being run by a foreign operator because of the cost of constructing new vessels. "They are looking for a service provider to contract that out to, and we're very concerned that it will be a foreign interest. We want to keep B.C. Ferries B.C.," she says.

Hahn says the corporation has an "obligation" to look at contracting out to reduce costs.

Meanwhile, B.C. Ferry Services faces troubled waters in its current contract dispute with its unionized workforce. With the BCFMWU contract expiring at the end of the month, the two sides are still far apart.

The union says the company is seeking massive concessions and appears unwilling to budge. Hahn says the Ferry Service needs a more reasonable contract, including the elimination of its annual $9-million overtime bill.

Miller says the company is looking for cost savings at the expense of its employees. "They want massive concessions amounting to between 12½ per cent to 53 per cent pay cuts for the northern crews, the live- aboard crews," she says.

The union is currently conducting a strike vote, the results of which are expected by the end of the month. In the event of strike action, the ferries would keep running as an essential service – but the number of sailings would be reduced.