When we fight, we win: LNG pay increase awarded

After nine years of advocacy, arbitration, and persistence across multiple terms of Ships’ Officers’ Component leadership, the LNG wage grievance has been resolved.

First Engineers working as Persons in Charge (PICs) during LNG bunkering on Spirit-class vessels will receive a 10 per cent increase to their hourly wage, retroactive to when the ships were converted to dual fuel (2018).

This win reflects the union’s long-standing position that the additional training, expertise and responsibility required for LNG operations represents a fundamental change in the role.

What changed?

Last year’s arbitration ruling confirmed that only the PICs met the high legal threshold of “significant change in duties” needed to trigger a new wage rate under Article 11.06. That was disappointing. We believed all LNG-trained deck and engineering personnel deserved recognition. But the arbitrator’s decision set a clear path forward: First Engineers serving as PICs on Spirit-class LNG vessels are entitled to a new, higher rate of pay.

For the past year, the employer argued this should be a small hourly premium, paid only during LNG bunkering process, less than a 0.7 per cent annual increase. We disagreed. The union returned to the arbitration process to push for more. The final decision confirmed the union’s position, that a substantial wage increase was appropriate.

“This 10% hourly wage increase reflects the reality that there was a ‘significant’ change to the duties… more than an incidental change… a fundamental change to the job function.” — Arbitrator Corinn Bell in her final and binding decision.

What this means for you

Affected members will receive a 10 per cent increase retroactive to the start of PIC duties post-conversion. That’s real money in members’ pockets, thanks to nearly a decade of union pressure.

The employer and union will confirm the LNG award implementation and It will take time for the employer to calculate retroactive payments. Please be patient with the payroll department as they work through it.

Why this matters

Not all wins are immediate. This was a long, hard fight. It paid off. It shows that when we stand together, push back and don’t let up, we make gains.

This grievance is a reminder that:

• The union never stopped fighting for LNG recognition
• Persistence and pressure get results
• Long battles can still deliver big wins

In solidarity,

Eric McNeely
BCFMWU Presdident

Capt. Chris Klassen
SOC President

Bulletin # 2025-34