Golden Gate Ferry Service Canceled Friday Over Strike Threat
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) –- The Golden Gate Bridge District has decided to cancel all of its ferry routes Friday in response to a planned strike by ticket agents who are part of the Inlandboatmen's Union of San Francisco.
Union officials are objecting to the district's plans to eliminate ticket agents at the terminals, and rely completely on vending machines and Clipper cards to handle fares.
KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:
"We're suspending service on Friday, July 1st in light of a press release that was sent to the media and then forwarded to us, it wasn't sent to us directly, by the Inlandboatmen's Union, expressing that they were going to go on strike July 1st from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.," said Golden Gate Bridge District Spokeswoman Mary Currie.
The district plans to offer bus service from the San Francisco, Larkspur and Sausalito ferry terminals to the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza, where commuters can catch another bus to their destinations. Golden Gate bus service won't be disrupted in any way.
The district plans to offer bus service from the San Francisco, Larkspur and Sausalito ferry terminals to the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza, where commuters can catch another bus to their destinations. Golden Gate bus service won't be disrupted in any way.
A ticket agent, who wished to remain anonymous, told KCBS that she doesn't want to inconvenience customers, but she also doesn't want to be replaced by a machine.
"Around 13 of our people are losing their jobs, and so far the machines aren't as good as a person," she said.
KCBS and Chronicle insider Phil Matier Comments:
Currie said that because Friday is the start of a long holiday weekend, ridership was expected to be a little higher than normal.
The ferry system carries about 6,000 passengers each weekday.
Regular service will resume Saturday.
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