The union representing sa国际传媒 Ferries workers is renewing its call to the province to vaccinate crews on the vessels.
Public health officials on March 31 banned all indoor 颅dining at restaurants in the province for at least three weeks, but the order did not include the 颅cafeterias and food-service operations in the ferry system.
With ferry traffic picking up substantially over the Easter weekend and onboard dining still allowed, the sa国际传媒 Ferry and Marine Workers鈥� Union said its workers are at risk as new cases surge.
Union president Graeme Johnston called it 鈥渟hameful.鈥�
鈥淢y members deem it a high risk,鈥� he said.
The public health order that exempts sa国际传媒 Ferries has been criticized by the restaurant industry as a double standard. Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming has said physical distancing and safety protocols remain on ferries and that it was important to continue food services, noting some sailings last longer than four hours.
The ferry union wants vaccinations for its members or a stop to food services.
It was disappointed to learn last month that ferry workers were not included in the province鈥檚 frontline workers eligible for vaccinations. That group included first responders, teachers and childcare providers, grocery store employees and postal workers. 鈥淲e wrote Dr. Bonnie Henry back on Jan. 19 about this 鈥� and we have never heard back,鈥� said Johnston.
