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Ferguson urges ferry service to resume Tuesday after engineers’ 'sickout’ stalls fleet
KOMO • • business
Key Points:
- A massive sickout involving 23 engine room employees led to significant disruptions in the Washington State Ferry (WSF) system, with 13 of 18 vessels initially out of service on Monday.
- Several key routes, including Seattle-Bainbridge and Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth, remained suspended or limited due to crew shortages, causing long wait times and canceled sailings, especially in the San Juan Islands.
- MEBA union leadership clarified that the sickouts were not a coordinated job action but highlighted ongoing issues with staffing shortages and excessive overtime among marine engineers.
- Governor Bob Ferguson met with union leaders, emphasizing the need for full service restoration by Tuesday morning and expressing concern over the impact on riders, while both sides acknowledged the shared goal of safe and timely ferry operations.
- The dispute revealed tensions over pay and working conditions, with WSF citing high salaries for chief engineers and the union arguing that qualifications and industry comparisons justify demands for better compensation and staffing solutions.
