Letters to the Editor -
Dear Editor:
Throughout this summer there has been a lot of negativity about Marine Atlantic, and I find it disheartening that nobody has spoken about the positive things taking place at Marine Atlantic.
Our frontline employees (ticket clerks, reservation clerks, chauffeurs, and other shore personnel, also vessel personnel) have had to put up with travelling public taking swings at them, spitting at them, and swearing at them.
(Some things I must say would never be allowed to happen at an International Airport, which is also governed by Transport Canada. The individual would have been escorted out of the airport and off the property and not to be allowed on their flight.)
During this time the employees have been participating in the "Alive Challenge." This was started to get employees to take better care of their health. To try to change eating habits, reduce stress (which has not been an easy task this year), and to get into better physical shape while being monitored by the VON that tracks their progress. Teams are formed that compete against other teams and challenges are made.
The teams have done a lot of good for the communities here on the Northside (others have also done things in their own areas like Port aux Basques). We have one group who has been having a bottle drive throughout the summer as well as monthly barbecues to raise money towards the Milk Program in the elementary schools. This money will be donated to schools to be used for the children whose families cannot afford to send money to school for them to purchase milk.
Another team has been having a food drive all summer and are donating to the food banks in the area. Various teams have raised money for the cancer society, and there are other good deeds being done as well.
So, when you are travelling through the ticket booths, phoning reservations, coming to the terminal to pick someone up or drop someone off, please take in mind that the front line employees are not the people who make the decisions at Marine Atlantic.
Instead of treating them so disrespectful during difficult times at Marine Atlantic perhaps you might like to commend these frontline employees who have also had to deal with all the scheduling problems, mechanical delays, etc., but who have in spite of all this, managed to do quite a bit of good for the communities within which they live and work.
Regards,
Debbie Hart
USW Local Chair 716
North Sydney
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