Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has ordered a new salary survey for Washington State Ferries engineers following an Oct. 5 sickout in which 23 engine room workers called in sick and replacements declined to cover their shifts. Because the U.S. Coast Guard requires a minimum engine room crew to sail, as many as 13 of the system’s 18 vessels were out of service at various points that day.

The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association said it did not organize the sickout, and workers returned the next day. The union says engineers log 500 to 1,500 hours of overtime a year and earn roughly 20% less than deck crews, and a June member survey found more than 60% were somewhat or very likely to retire or leave.

“This is not a problem that can be solved immediately,” Ferguson wrote to the union. “However, I am committed to the goal of correcting pay disparities between deck and engine.” Pay talks for the contract’s second year are scheduled for next summer.