Ferry to Bellingham cancelled by worker’s strike

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Ferry service to Alaska came to a halt last week due to a workers’ strike, cancelling a trip to Bellingham.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities issued a notification Wednesday that said the Inlandboatman’s Union of the Pacific initiated a strike, stopping all Alaska ferry service until further notice.

They’re reaching out to ticketed passengers to reschedule or offer refunds.

According to Alaska Public Media, the workers are calling for an updated contract with an annual 3% pay increase over the next three years.

State officials say that’s unreasonable.

Alaska has considered reducing the state’s ferry system, and doing away with the Bellingham route, due to funding issues.