Isabelle from the ferry crew
I have heard that Isabelle has left her job on the ferry because of harrassment. I have heard one instance of this from Isabelle herself. I have heard stories about some horrible things that have been done to her, presumably to drive her away from her job and from Lasqueti.
I have found her to be a very pleaseant and positive ferry crew member. She is strong and clear and communicates well, and is clearly competent and authorative on the ferry. And she has a sense of humour too.
I don't have Isabelle's contact information, but Rainie (who does) has agreed to receive emails and other expressions of support for Isabelle, and to forward them to her. If you'd like to send Isabelle some words of encouragement, please send Rainie an email - Rainie Polaski <zombrainie(at)hotmail.com> - or a letter. It would be nice to let her know that we care about what has happened to her, and to encourage her to fight back against harrassment, rather than just go away. With community support she will be much stronger.
I understand that Western Pacific Marine's new operations chief will be coming to Lasqueti soon to look into the matter. Rainie has posted contact information for them on the Lasqueti web site. Here it is: Captain Elgin McKillop, Marine Superintendent and Operations Manager Email: Elgin [at] boatcruises [dot] com Mail: 1 North foot of Denman St., Vancouver BC - V6G 2W9 Phone: 604-681-5199 For those of us who have been here a long time, you might recognize Elgin's name as that of one of our previous ferry skippers. I think it was Centurion III, but it might have been IV.
Thanks to everyone. Peter
Comments
Sad story...
I also thought Isabelle was doing a level-headed and fair job of the freight charges - often a hotly contested fee.
What a shame - I hope this harrasment wasn't coming from folks within our community.
...Joseph
Isabelles absense
Hopefully Isabelle will get fair treatment from the union, or whatever board it is that looks into these matters. She did her job well and was just seeming to get to know our community when this incident happened. I'd like to see her return,or at least see the person who committed the harassment reprimanded and removed from their position so that she can confidently resume her career either here or somewhere else, if that's what she wants to do. I hope this doesn't get" swept under the rug", as I may be forced to paddle my kayak over and back rather than to stomach a ride on a ferry run by a company that allows this to happen to its women employees.
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