Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Sep 02/05) - Rhetoric surrounding the labour dispute over the Liard River ferry heated up Tuesday when union members launched an unfair labour practices complaint against operator Rowe's Construction.

The complaint, filed with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board, came after the company outlined its bargaining position in a full-page newspaper ad two weeks ago.

Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, regional vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada which represents the six ferry workers, called the ad misleading and accused the company of subverting the negotiations.

"It is clear Rowe's isn't truly interested in negotiating a collective agreement with the union. Instead they would rather negotiate in the press," Des Lauriers said in a media release.

"I am very disappointed in the companies (sic) attitudes towards the people of Fort Simpson and the ferry workers."

On Tuesday, company president Jack Rowe blamed the labour impasse on the union.

"We feel we have negotiated in good faith and tried to get a collective agreement since day one," he said. "We chose to negotiate with the union instead of the press."

While the battle between Rowe's and the union continues, ferry service across the Liard River - which separates Fort Simpson and Wrigley from the outside world - is expected to continue.

The industrial relations board could rule soon on a union request to anoint the ferry and essential service, a designation that could lead to binding arbitration between the union and the company.

Board spokesperson Tom Panelli said, however, there was no timetable for that decision.

While the two sides are still far apart, Rowe was optimistic an agreement could be reached without a strike. "There is no advantage whatsoever, for either side, to have a work stoppage," he said. "I think cooler heads will prevail."

There's no word on when talks will resume.