Wolfe Island Ferry understaffing ‘a crisis’ after latest shutdown, union says

A union says provincial understaffing on the Wolfe Island Ferry caused the latest hours-long shutdown of the crucial link on Saturday. CTV’s Austin Lee reports.

The union representing workers on the Wolfe Island Ferry is calling attention to chronic understaffing issues after it says a worker calling in sick caused the entire system to be shut down for hours on a busy summer weekend.

The ferry provides a crucial link to access Wolfe Island and Kingston, being the only access that the approximately 1,600 residents of the island have to the mainland.

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) said that a crew shortage forced the service to be suspended on Saturday morning, with the last trip leaving the island at 8:30 a.m. and resuming later in the evening.

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, the Ministry says service resumed at 2:30 p.m. and an announcement was made “as soon as possible.”

“The Ministry of Transportation recognizes the vital connection the ferry provides to the community and works to minimize disruptions to ferry users as much as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience and remain committed to providing reliable service,” said an emailed statement from MTO spokesperson Julia Caslin.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 428, which represents about 150 ferry workers, says the shutdown was the “predictable result” of years of understaffing.

“It’s normal that people occasionally get sick. What’s not normal is that one person getting sick can shut down operations for several hours,” said OSPEU Local 428 vice-president Oren Nimelman in an interview.

Nimelman says an overreliance on private, outside contractors has diminished training standards that would allow workers to move upwards in their field, leaving it difficult to attract and retain staff.

“They’re using contractors as a band aid while cutting,” he said.

He adds his members feel as though they are facing “death by a thousand cuts” with pay that is far below industry standards.

“We’re all working jobs that 30 years ago someone used to be able to work and be able to buy a house and raise a family, feed their family, enjoy some reasonable amount of vacation time, stay home when they’re sick, and retire with dignity,” he said.

“It’s not that anymore.”

In a news release Saturday evening, the union called the province’s lack of planning a “crisis.”

“OPSEU Local 428 reiterates its longstanding position that the use of contractors to avoid proper training and compensation will predictably corrode this public service toward increasing precarity,” the union said.

The Ministry did not respond directly to the union’s claims.

Ferries in Ontario must comply with Transport Canada rules for safe vessel operation, which can affect service if proper staffing levels are not met.

Disruptions on the Wolfe Island Ferry because of staffing and mechanical issues is not new.

Over the Christmas holiday last year, the Wolfe Islander IV went offline after the ferry lost power and was unable to carry passengers to and from the mainland. That vessel has remained sidelined ever since.

The link is currently serviced by the Wolfe Islander III.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Kimberley Johnson

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