||| FROM KOMO-TV NEWS |||
Wednesday morning, Washington State Ferries (WSF) started with a crew shortage issue that initially canceled all sailings after 7:15 a.m. on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route – just hours before the first of two community engagement meetings being held by WSF.
The system, however, did find the crew needed for that route, restoring service with the 11 a.m. sailing to Coupeville.
KOMO News learned that about 300 people signed up for the virtual meeting, which included WSF Executive Director Steve Nevey and a panel of six other department heads or experts within the system.
The crewing issue that forced the morning sailing cancellations is not new to WSF.
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I guess firing all those employees over now erroneously and unscientifically missapplied vaccine mandates was a big mistake? Could be fully staffed right now.
Do you have a link that you might share that would substantiate your claim Christopher? Thank you.
Had a problem with the link to “READ THE FULL ARTICLE” did any one else?
WSF had al least four employees die of Covid. Many were called in sick claiming they had Covid, or any least symptoms. Crew shortages of course resulted. WSF reduced ferry service from 19 vessels to 14 or 15 vessels in response.
Inslee’s decision to fire public employees, especially public transportation employees, during one this countries most lethal pandemic was a bold and proper decision.
Between 121 and 128 WSF vessel employees refused to get COVID vaccinations depending on what source is providing the count. WSF offered one or two paid days if they got vaccinated, additionally there was a vaccination bonus payment.
In mid-2024, WSF stopped providing monthly ferry crew numbers when it was obvious that operating 79% of the usual pre-pandemic schedule didn’t match up with 92% of fully desired staffing for 21 vessels WSF that were “in service.” WSF was, and still is, occasionally adding more crew to some vessels than required just to keep ferry workers employed.
In 2024, they hired and trained a number of new engine room oilers to add the Coast Guard required crew manning numbers to help alleviate crew shortages. That helped to some degree.
Crew shortages increased when the labor party (unions) negotiations started (they are on a two year labor contract cycle). Coincidence? Maybe.
Unions were liberal in media posting about how underpaid some vessels employees were as compared to ocean going mariners, and even NY ferry employees, ignoring Washington State laws that only west coast and Canadian maritime salaries are the legal negotiation comparisons. But TV and printed media quickly picked up on the underpaid stories.
It’ isn’t easy to find out their actual salaries and benefits. Department of Revenue and WSDOT use a Code of Federal Regulation implemented by TSA after the World Trade center attack that claims it’s a nation transportation security threat to reveal names and information (including what they are getting paid) of anyone who has access to public vessels. About 80% of all WSF employees are currently so classified. Logically absurd, but do a Public Records request, and most WSF names are redacted
Now that labor negotiations are completed, crew shortages are less common. But they have to still be funded by the state legislature, and that’s a TBD.
Crew shortages are also a result of where ferry workers live. Too few north of Seattle and in the San Juans. Good news is ferry management has been making efforts to add some additional vessel personnel in counties north of King County.