Ferry returns
BC Ferries vessel Queen of Burnaby has resumed service on the Comox-Powell River route as of Wednesday, January 27, ending a problematic shuffle of ferries in the Powell River area.
The 50-year-old vessel was out for a propellor repair since January 6, during which time the MV Island Sky serviced Powell River, Texada Island and Comox, and the much smaller North Island Princess, normally used for Texada service, ran between Saltery Bay and Earls Cove.
A mechanical problem with North Island Princess caused cancellation of service between Saltery Bay and Earls Cove most of January 8 and 9, stranding travellers on both sides. BC Ferries offered free travel on the route as compensation January 10 and 11.
All vessels in Powell River area have been now returned to their regular routes.
Queen of Burnaby will be retired from BC Ferries' fleet and sold by end of year when the new, $84-million dollar Salish Orca replaces it for service between Westview and Little River.
Firefighters settle
City of Powell River professional firefighters have reached an eight-year agreement with the city to provide fire and rescue services.
Powell River's International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) local 1298 went nearly four years without a contract settlement and will receive a 2.5 per cent annual wage increase, including retroactive pay from December 31, 2011.
City of Powell acting director of human resources Brian Cruise recognized in a media release that firefighters made a concession in bargaining to spread out retroactive pay over the next four years of the contract, which runs until December 31, 2019, rather than taking it in a lump sum.
The new contract puts local firefighter's pay at parity with comparable BC fire departments.
