The national president of Unifor has written premier Tony Wakeham to “set the record straight” with strike action looming at Marine Atlantic.

In her letter, Lana Payne says a narrative has emerged that suggests the union “is attempting to shut down the ferry service or compromise the safety of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.” Payne states that is “absolutely not the case.”

She says the union is engaged in a mandated process under the Canada Labour Code, and their primary focus is to get an independent assessment of what constitutes an essential service at Marine Atlantic.

Payne states that with 100 per cent of Marine Atlantic’s work deemed essential, it “effectively strips (their) members of their constitutional right to collective bargaining,” and gives the employer “no incentive” to negotiate in good faith.

The union argues that they have proposed an essential services plan that is “carefully designed” to ensure the province is protected, and would maintain “enough crossings…to safeguard the delivery of items such as food, medicine, critical supplies and other cargo” in the event of a labour dispute.

Payne says the federal labour board will hold hearings on the matter, and no action can take place until a ruling is made.

In the meantime, they are asking the provincial government to “recognize that a reliable ferry service depends on fairly negotiated contracts and decent wages,” and to request that officials with Marine Atlantic come back to the table.