nys canal system

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sea wolf

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Rumor has it that the hours on the canal system will be shortened to 10 hr. days. I've heard that the hours will be 7am to 5pm only. In the past the canal operating hrs. for the locks were 7am-10pm. Apparently there's been some layoffs of lock personel which will result in shortened hours. I guess boater's that want to use the locks after 5pm will be out of luck................
 
N

NY Boating Club

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Re: nys canal system

I don't think there have been any decisions on cutbacks on hours yet, I know that there have been rumors in cutbacks in staff. I will follow up on this, hey are you the Sea Wolf docked in Amityville? and where you on Cayuga Lake last Summer?
 
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sea wolf

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Re: nys canal system

NY Boating Club said:
I don't think there have been any decisions on cutbacks on hours yet, I know that there have been rumors in cutbacks in staff. I will follow up on this, hey are you the Sea Wolf docked in Amityville? and where you on Cayuga Lake last Summer?
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No to both questions. I checked the canal website & they haven't posted the hrs. of operation yet. Be nice to know since the canal opens for navigation on May 1st. I talked to someone in the know & he claims that no way can the canal locks be open for 15 hr. days with the skeleton staff that is available. We'll see.
 
N

NY Boating Club

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Re: nys canal system

After I saw your original post I also checked their website and thought it was odd that they didn't have hours posted, it seems unlikely that the state will cutback those hours. The Canal is such a important part of NYS history, it would be a real shame if this becomes the beginning of the end for the system. Where is your home port? We are docked in Seneca Falls. We are hoping to do a 2 week trip this summer to Tonawanda and back, having to plan our days to be where we need to be by 5PM would put a damper on the trip but we will see. By the way if you have a chance take a look at our site Welcome to New York Boating Club - Membership is Always Free! we are building the most comprehensive online resource the the NYS boater, we have posted updates on this subject including fwd a petition to the Gov not to cut the canal budget.
 
S

sea wolf

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Re: nys canal system

NY Boating Club said:
After I saw your original post I also checked their website and thought it was odd that they didn't have hours posted, it seems unlikely that the state will cutback those hours. The Canal is such a important part of NYS history, it would be a real shame if this becomes the beginning of the end for the system. Where is your home port? We are docked in Seneca Falls. We are hoping to do a 2 week trip this summer to Tonawanda and back, having to plan our days to be where we need to be by 5PM would put a damper on the trip but we will see. By the way if you have a chance take a look at our site Welcome to New York Boating Club - Membership is Always Free! we are building the most comprehensive online resource the the NYS boater, we have posted updates on this subject including fwd a petition to the Gov not to cut the canal budget.
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I trailer my boat so I don't actually have a home port, though I do occasionally boat Oneida Lake.

I followed the link to your website but couldn't find the petition. And not to get into a political thing, the petition is a good idea. Will it do any good? I doubt it as I believe the decision has already been made. From high up in the food chain. Good luck.
 
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sea wolf

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Re: nys canal system

A Notice to Mariners was issued today in regards to canal operations. Here's a rundown.

5/1-5/22- 7A.M.-5PM

5/23-9/11-8A.M.-6-P.M.

9/12-11/15-7A.M.-5P.M.

There are some exceptions listed for a few & just a few of the busier locks. It's a shame that boater's will be unable to use the locks mid summer after 6 p.m.

And so it goes.
 
N

NY Boating Club

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Re: nys canal system

I guess we will see, I am headed up to Seneca Falls this weekend, maybe I will go over to the Lock and purchase my pass, maybe they will have some info. Thanks for taking a look at my site, we have a forums section there as well, maybe we could start an Erie Canal forum going over there, I will let you know what I find out.
 
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lock operator 123

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Re: nys canal system

Just a clue as to what is going on w/the canal. Basicly what the canal/thruway did was cut all the lock operators wages & take away our benefits under the guise of cost saving whereby circumventing the contractual agreement made 3 1/2 - 4 years ago pertaining to wages & benefits. They laid off virtually all the lock operators & then a couple weeks later called us back as seasonals. This means reduction in hourly wages, & being a seasonal they no longer give us accruals ie; vacation time, sick time, personal days, floating holidays, ect. OK this seems fine to some but consider this. We got laid off & then about the time we are supposed to get an unemployment check we get called back as seasonal & then have to wait another 4 weeks to get a pay check. Being seasonal your pay is withheld for a month. I see this as a well played hand by the canal/thruway since now we make about the same amount or a little less after taxes than we would've received on unemployment . Which by the way we couldn't turn down the job offer because we are bound by unemployment law to accept a job that pays prevailing wage for that grade & is similar work. Seasonal lock operator is identical job. It does however pay less. The present pay is prevailing wage for seasonal position. So yes we are going to be operational many less hours. & you will probably see many frowning faces because we will be SOOOO happy to be there making 1/4 or more, less wages w/no benefits. :grumpy:
 
sasto

sasto

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Re: nys canal system

Shucks! Been thru that canal a dozen times traveling. Five o'clock cutoff for me is a blessing. Those locks cost a boatload!! I have nothing but praise for the Lockmasters and the NY Waterway. I have much respect. They do a beautiful job. Same guys every lock for me.
 
N

NY Boating Club

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Re: nys canal system

I am sorry to hear that, I know that NYS is cutting back on personel throughout, but that's just a crappy way to go about things.
 
S

sea wolf

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Re: nys canal system

lock operator 123 said:
Just a clue as to what is going on w/the canal. Basicly what the canal/thruway did was cut all the lock operators wages & take away our benefits under the guise of cost saving whereby circumventing the contractual agreement made 3 1/2 - 4 years ago pertaining to wages & benefits. They laid off virtually all the lock operators & then a couple weeks later called us back as seasonals. This means reduction in hourly wages, & being a seasonal they no longer give us accruals ie; vacation time, sick time, personal days, floating holidays, ect. OK this seems fine to some but consider this. We got laid off & then about the time we are supposed to get an unemployment check we get called back as seasonal & then have to wait another 4 weeks to get a pay check. Being seasonal your pay is withheld for a month. I see this as a well played hand by the canal/thruway since now we make about the same amount or a little less after taxes than we would've received on unemployment . Which by the way we couldn't turn down the job offer because we are bound by unemployment law to accept a job that pays prevailing wage for that grade & is similar work. Seasonal lock operator is identical job. It does however pay less. The present pay is prevailing wage for seasonal position. So yes we are going to be operational many less hours. & you will probably see many frowning faces because we will be SOOOO happy to be there making 1/4 or more, less wages w/no benefits. :grumpy:
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Sounds like you folks are getting a pretty raw deal. But, that is the political climate we now live in & it stinks.
 
S

sea wolf

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Re: nys canal system

NY Boating Club said:
I think the answer as boaters is to utilize the entire canal system, we need to show the canal corp that the system is a value. The NYS Gov also needs to know that the people who work on the canal and the people who use it are the producers in this state. Somedays it seems as if we are the outsiders
Welcome to New York Boating Club - Membership is Always Free!
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I agree NYBC. I've read somewhere that the canal system generates something like $368 million tourist $$$ yearly, mostly benefitting upstate communities. Considering that the state takes in 4% of that in sales tax revenue it sounds to me that boater's & NYS taxpayer's are getting screwed. Gee, how'd ya like to pay for tolls on the NYS Thruway & be told that u couldn't use the road after certain hours? That essentially is what the Canal Corp {which by the way is a public entity operated by the NYS Thruway Authority} is doing to boater's who buy passes to use the locks! Only in NYS, only in NYS.

It's too bad that the canal doesn't run thru downstate, where Cuomo lives. If it did I have a feeling that this wouldn't be happening.
 
N

NY Boating Club

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Re: nys canal system

That's a great point, plus I am constantly reading where towns along the canal system can apply for grants to update the waterfront, etc, so the state gives on one hand and takes away on the other. As boaters it's important that we get our message out so it doesn't get anyworse.
 
S

she won

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Re: nys canal system

It is a terrible tragedy that lock operators have been reduced, While 80 to 90 % of the canal payroll is in Albany! It doesn't seem anyone has lost their job in the Capitol!

Canal hours are correct with exceptions to:

Locks E22 + E23 + E24 + CS 1,2,3,+4
They will be open from 7am to 10pm after May 22

I use the NYS Canal Website quite a bit. It is helpful.
 
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