Golden Gate Ferry Service Running As Usual, Strike Cancelled

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)- Golden Gate Ferry service was operating as normal Friday morning after the union representing the system's ticket agents had initially called for a strike on Thursday afternoon.

Ticket agents surprisingly showed up for work - and ferries were taking commuters to San Francisco.

Golden Gate Bridge District spokeswoman Mary Currie said the first boats headed out from Larkspur's Ferry Terminal on schedule at 5:50 a.m.

The Inlandboatman's Union of San Francisco had called for the one day strike by press release, which according to Currie, came a surprise. The bridge district didn't even know about the union decision until the media alerted them.

The union was reportedly upset about the elimination of seven ticket collector's jobs to be replaced by vending machines, but apparently the labor group had a change of heart. Efforts were being made to place those workers into other positions.

KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:

Arrangements had been made by the bridge district to take would-be ferry riders to San Francisco by bus. That plan was no longer needed.

Ironically, some passengers on Friday's first ferry ride hadn't even heard about the ill-fated strike.

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