OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Service is back to normal after a mass call out slowed down the Washington state ferry system.

Spokesperson for the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) Kristin Hyde says that the union has been in contact with Gov. Bob Ferguson to address the issues that led to the call-out.

My Bellingham Now reported that 13 of the state’s 18 ferries were docked for most of the day last Monday, Oct. 5 after 23 engine room workers called in sick.

Other available workers qualified to handle their duties were unable to replace them.

Hyde says that while its union members were involved in the call out, the union itself did not organize the movement. She notes that the union organizers did not hear about the call outs and subsequent ferry stoppage until they heard it from media reporting at the time.

Ferry workers have been complaining about staff shortages leading to high levels of burnout in the last couple years.

MEBA’s representative for WSF Eric Winge says that while he’s pleased to see Gov. Ferguson acknowledge their concerns, he says that action needs to be taken where possible, citing competitive wages to attract qualified and experienced engineers.