This should be of interest to someone who might get despatched on a non-imaginary trip to Newfoundland Canada. It will even worse for any truckers who manage to get stuck on the Island.
Truckers are worried about the spectre of a strike hovering over the ferry service connecting Newfoundland with Nova Scotia.
On Friday, the International Longshoremen's Association and the United Steelworkers said their Marine Atlantic members had voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action.
A strike at Marine Atlantic could be financially ruinous for truckers.
(CBC)
The unions represent about 460 workers, including ticket agents and dock workers.
"We've got a mandate from our membership, so the membership speaks for everyone," said Jim Lane, who speaks for both unions in Port aux Basques.
Lane said the workers are seeking an increase in pay and an improved benefits package.
"I guess if the company don't want to negotiate with regard to that or go back to the table or change whatever they're going to do, I guess eventually we will end up in a strike position," he said.
Duane McCarthy, who's been a trucker in Newfoundland and Labrador for 33 years, said truckers feel vulnerable with a strike pending.
"We're paid mileage for when we move. If we're sitting and waiting, there's no pay involved," McCarthy said.
"And [that goes] for 80 per cent of the trucking industry. There are some that are on by an hourly wage if they're sitting and waiting, but that's very, very few. "
McCarthy said if a strike does go ahead it probably won't last long, since goods will still need to be transported to and from the island.
The unions will be in a legal strike position in 18 days, meaning that the summer tourist season will have ended should there be a labour disruption.
Ferry breakdown causes delays
Meanwhile, mechanical problems on the ferry Joseph and Clara Smallwood Sunday led to delays in the Crown corporation's service.
Marine Atlantic took the MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood out of service Sunday afternoon. It was scheduled to be back in service Monday morning.
The Smallwood is the second ferry to encounter problems within a month.
In late July, the MV Leif Ericson was out of service for several days because of a major engine failure.
Truckers are worried about the spectre of a strike hovering over the ferry service connecting Newfoundland with Nova Scotia.
On Friday, the International Longshoremen's Association and the United Steelworkers said their Marine Atlantic members had voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action.
A strike at Marine Atlantic could be financially ruinous for truckers.
(CBC)
The unions represent about 460 workers, including ticket agents and dock workers.
"We've got a mandate from our membership, so the membership speaks for everyone," said Jim Lane, who speaks for both unions in Port aux Basques.
Lane said the workers are seeking an increase in pay and an improved benefits package.
"I guess if the company don't want to negotiate with regard to that or go back to the table or change whatever they're going to do, I guess eventually we will end up in a strike position," he said.
Duane McCarthy, who's been a trucker in Newfoundland and Labrador for 33 years, said truckers feel vulnerable with a strike pending.
"We're paid mileage for when we move. If we're sitting and waiting, there's no pay involved," McCarthy said.
"And [that goes] for 80 per cent of the trucking industry. There are some that are on by an hourly wage if they're sitting and waiting, but that's very, very few. "
McCarthy said if a strike does go ahead it probably won't last long, since goods will still need to be transported to and from the island.
The unions will be in a legal strike position in 18 days, meaning that the summer tourist season will have ended should there be a labour disruption.
Ferry breakdown causes delays
Meanwhile, mechanical problems on the ferry Joseph and Clara Smallwood Sunday led to delays in the Crown corporation's service.
Marine Atlantic took the MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood out of service Sunday afternoon. It was scheduled to be back in service Monday morning.
The Smallwood is the second ferry to encounter problems within a month.
In late July, the MV Leif Ericson was out of service for several days because of a major engine failure.