Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Aug 19/05) - A strike that could interrupt Liard River ferry service continues to have Fort Simpson residents guessing if they'll be stranded.

It's up to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to determine if the ferry is an essential service, in which case it must keep running and an arbitrator would force a labour agreement.

A strike cannot legally take place until the federal board makes its ruling, according to Harvey Farysey, acting regional director of the CIRB said from Vancouver on Monday.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents the ferry workers, filed an application seeking an essential service designation on Aug. 3.

Rowe's Construction, the ferry contract holder and employer, has until today (Aug. 18) to respond, Farysey said.

The union then has up to 10 days to file a final reply, he noted.

Once the union has replied, the board will meet to decide on the essential service application. That could happen "fairly quickly," said Farysey.

A board representative is continuing to seek resolution of the labour dispute, he said. The federal minister of state for labour could also intervene.

When ruling on such matters, the board interprets this passage from the pertinent legislation: "During a strike or lock-out... the employer, the trade union and the employees in the bargaining unit must continue the supply of services, operation of facilities or production of goods to the extent necessary to prevent an immediate and serious danger to the safety or health of the public."

Conflicting stories

In another marine case, the board ruled that a work stoppage at a ferry connecting Newfoundland and Cape Breton threatened safety and the service was therefore deemed essential.

Management of Rowe's Construction and union negotiators met last week but ended talks on Thursday - a day earlier that scheduled.

Union negotiator Dave Thompson referred to the bargaining session as "a joke."

He also told the Drum that talks had broken off.

On the other hand, Owen Rowe, who runs Rowe's Construction in Fort Simpson, said the parties agreed to meet again Sept. 12-14.

Thompson said he isn't available.

The union is holding a strike education course for workers and activists in Fort Simpson this week, he noted.

"I'm confident in one thing: We're going to make a stand," he said.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is now claiming it will be in a position to strike by Aug. 23. The union had initially stated employees could walk off the job as early as Aug. 15.

Rowe vowed that the ferry will continue to operate.

"We would keep the ferry running with little or no problems," he said. "Would there be delays and inconveniences if there was a picket line there? For sure. I don't want to go that route. We're hoping to come to an amicable solution."