Friday, July 1, 2011
Transportation
S.F. Ferry Ticketers to Strike Today to Protest Automation
Posted
By Matt Smith
on Fri, Jul 1, 2011 at 8:27 AM
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Matt Smith
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Mr. Ferry Boat doesn't like to get angry.
UPDATE: Media outlets are reporting that the planned strike has been called off.
Original story 7:25 a.m.:Ticket taking on the Golden Gate ferry system has been one of the last manual labor jobs kept safe from automation. But that may change with proposed new ticket taking machines.
Ferry terminal Workers aren't taking the potential job losses quietly, however, and plan to hold a one-day strike Friday in San Francisco, Larkspur, and Sausalito.
"These Ticket Agents have been loyal employees of the Bridge District for as long as 30 years, but now management is trying to throw them under the bus," said Marina Secchitano, a spokeswoman for the Inland Boatmen's Union. "Their families will face severe hardships without a reasonable severance package to help them transition to other employment in these tough times."
We've left messages with Golden Gate Bridge District spokeswoman Mary Currie, as well as with Secchitano for further comment. We'll report on how the strike will affect ferry service when we hear back.
Check back from updates.
Tags: Golden Gate Ferry, labor, strike, ticket takers, union, workers, Image
