Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Aug 12/05) - The GNWT is going to receive a few letters demanding that Liard River ferry service be maintained should crew members go on strike next week.

The Liidlii Kue First Nation and the Village of Fort Simpson are imploring the Department of Transportation to keep the river shuttle operating.

Nevertheless, Keyna Norwegian, chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation, said she respects the workers' right to strike.

"I think anyone has a right to choose the benefits they can receive," she said.

Dennis Nelner, an LKFN and village councillor, predicted that a ferry shutdown would result in a shortage of gasoline in Fort Simpson and cause milk prices to double.

Councillor Dave Wright pointed out that a loss of tourist revenue can be expected.

Tom Wilson, also a councillor, suggested that the government can't turn a blind eye just because the situation only affects relatively small populations in Fort Simpson and Wrigley.

"If this was taking place at (Fort) Providence, there would be such an uproar in Yellowknife," Wilson said.

One Fort Simpson resident, who didn't want to be named, argued that the ferry is not an essential service. He referred to it as a "seasonal convenience."

Fort Simpson survives freeze-up and break-up every year, the individual contended.

"The ferry can break and go mechanical any day of the week. Things will be done to work around it," he said, adding that it doesn't even operate 24-hours a day.

Situation monitored

Bob Kelly, spokesperson for the Department of Transportation, said the government is watching the situation closely but also wants to show consideration for the sensitive nature of this week's bargaining session.

The union and Rowe's Construction met in May and July for negotiations. However, they are so far apart that a federally-appointed conciliator stepped away from the process.

"I find it ridiculous that the union is talking about a strike at such an early stage of the process," stated Jack Rowe, co-owner of Rowe's Construction which holds the ferry contract with the GNWT.

"It was our impression that the union's goal was to rush through the conciliation process so that they could put themselves in a legal strike position in the middle of the ferry season, thus enabling them to create maximum disruption to the public through a strike."

Rowe said his company is willing to continue bargaining through the remainder of the ferry season. He urged the union to make the same commitment.

Union negotiator Dave Thompson said Rowe's Construction must "get their act together and start negotiating properly instead of dragging this out.

"We're not looking to harm the community, I'll tell ya, that's not our purpose at all. But we do have to get an agreement with these guys," Thompson said.