Staten Island Ferry riders frustrated by drastic service cuts due to crew sick calls
NEW YORK -- Staten Island Ferry riders were frustrated during the Friday morning rush because sick calls caused service cuts and delays.
Ferry service from St. George Terminal to Manhattan was operating hourly, a drastic drop from the usual 15-to-20-minute service that thousands of commuters rely on during rush hour.
The sick calls started Wednesday night and have been interrupting service since Thursday morning.
The Department of Transportation said the vast majority of captains, assistant captains and mates called out on Friday.
"With a national marine worker shortage and as a result of this action, the Staten Island Ferry service is experiencing significant changes - these changes are extremely disruptive to the tens of thousands of people who ride the ferry every day, Staten Islanders commuting to work or home to their families, and U.S. military personnel visiting for Fleet Week," DOT said in a statement. "We expect any Staten Island Ferry workers who are not sick to come to work. The city is focused on ensuring that ferry riders can get to their destination safely, and we will continue to keep New Yorkers informed."
There's never a good time for ferry commuters to deal with interruptions, but this is also the start of Memorial Day Weekend, when city streets and trains are always packed.
"I don't know what people are going to do after this today," one commuter said.
"I like to be punctual, but it's pretty hard when you have a schedule like this," said another.
"Every hour you have to wait to go to work. What do you to tell your boss? 'Boss, I can't come to work. I'll be an hour late because everyone at the ferry decided to get sick?'" another commuter said.
"I think there's a reason. People don't just not wanna go to work for no reason," another commuter said.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said it's time for the city and marine workers union to resolve the problems together.
"The only way we're gonna get this resolved once and for all is for the folks to come to the table, to negotiate in good faith and resolve this once and for all. Because if it can happen yesterday, it can happen today, it can happen next week," said Fossella.
There were similar issues in July and August 2022 when unhappy union members used sick days to send a message.
