Orcas ferry strike could bring dire consequences

A strike at the Orcas Island Ferry Landing could have major effects on island life.

It could mean unions such as the Teamsters refusing to cross picket lines and suspending delivery of goods to the islands, said Pete Jones, regional director of the Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific (IBU), which represents the local ferry workers. The workers have already authorized a strike, although none has yet been called. Before any strike date is set, Jones said, the union “will be interacting with these folks” (from other unions) to learn their intentions.

There is even the possibility that ferry workers, who are also represented by the Inlandboatmen’s Union, could refuse to dock at Orcas, according to state Representative Jeff Morris (D -Anacortes). Ferry workers employed directly by Washington State Ferries have a no-strike clause, but it is uncertain if they are forbidden from honoring other picket lines.

Those who work at Orcas and other island ferry docks are employed by private contractors, not the state. In Orcas’ case, the contractors are Margaret and Mary Russell.

Although Jones didn’t know if state employees could legally refuse to dock at Orcas, Morris thinks this is a possibility. And, Morris says, if this happens, “We would have a state issue with helicopters flying around,” pressure mounting on the Governor to intervene, and calls to revise or do away with all the contracts for operating island ferry docks.

Washington State Ferries Labor Relations Manager Michael Manning, in an Aug. 14, 2002 letter to the union, stated “that any job action by IBU-represented employees would be contrary to the clear prohibitions of (state law)..., if such actions amount to a work stoppage.”

Public Information Officer Pat Patterson adds that she doubts state workers could legally refuse to dock at Orcas. ‘We believe our employees will continue to do the job they have been hired to do,” she says. Patterson also doubts that the Governor could be drawn into the middle of a strike at the ferry landing because, she says, the contract dispute is governed by federal National Labor Relations Board issues, not those based on Washington State law.

Nevertheless, both she and Morris are crossing their fingers, hoping that the wage dispute between the Russells and the union will be settled before the situation escalates even further. Patterson also urged Morris to offer his services to both the Russells and the union to mediate the dispute.

Morris said an additional problem is the contracts between the ferry system and the four island agents, which he described as “shoddy, and quite a mess.” Morris said he was stunned to learn that, unlike other contracts between government agencies and private contractors, these have no provision for staffing.

Morris began his investigation after meeting with the Russells’ employees during a candidates forum Oct. 16 at the Orcas Senior Center. Morris is up for reelection this November.

The workers remain embroiled in a wage dispute with the Russells. It has gone on for over a year.

Over the last three weeks the workers have made their case in printed flyers they have distributed around Orcas Island. The flyers have accused the Russells of refusing to grant them a cost of living increase, inadequately staffing the terminal, and taking too much money for themselves.

However, the contract between the Russells and the ferry system does not require the local agents to meet these demands.

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