Editorial
Get the soup on in ferry galleys

HARLEY SOLTES / THE SEATTLE TIMES In the absence of food service, Michelle Pratt of Kingston sells doughnuts to fellow passengers during her morning commute to Edmonds.

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No onboard food service on major Washington State Ferries runs this summer would be a disappointing failure.

Arguably one of Puget Sound's most popular, and iconic, tourist attractions, the ferries have had onboard galley service for passengers — commuters and tourists alike — for decades, until Dec. 31. That's when the previous concessionaire opted out of its broad contract early, saying it couldn't make money. Now, disagreements between its named successor and the union representing galley workers might keep the galleys dark for another year.

That's not acceptable.

Washington State Ferries officials, to their credit, are trying to provide more amenities to ferry users, including some commuter-friendly services to Seattle's Colman Dock and some other terminals. When Maryland-based Sodexho gave up the galley service, ferry officials broke up the broad contract that covered galley service, vending and games. Although their first request for proposals for a galley concessionaire went unanswered, they tried again and named three companies to provide galley service on different runs.

The Inlandboatmen's Union objected because the ferry system did not protect galley jobs, and the Marine Employees' Commission ruled Sodexho's old contract would remain in effect until the new concessionaires could negotiate new contracts.

Union officials take that to mean the old contract with Sodexho rules until it expires. However, the main concessionaire, Cascade Concessions, wants to negotiate new contracts now. The union rejected Cascade's offer, which includes wage cuts, no seniority and no pension.

Cascade has told the union that, without a signed deal by Friday, there's no point in starting service this year because it will miss out on the lucrative summer trade. That could leave 60 to 80 people out of work.

Union officials say that's OK with them because they will not accept Cascade's offer. And ferry officials say that's OK with them. They say times have changed and their new contracts with concessionaires are meant to provide them with as much flexibility as possible.

Well, it's not OK.

Cascade, the union and the ferry system must try harder to find a solution that will restore galley service this summer. Circumstances have changed in the ferry system, which has been charged with relying less on state taxpayers and paying more of its own freight.

A summer with bare galleys because of a lack of cooperation between the responsible parties is not acceptable.