Keeping the island’s shelves stocked, one trailer at a time

I came to BC Ferries about sixteen years ago, but it wasn’t really my idea. I was working long hours on the highway when a friend called to offer me a job. I said no because I already had one. Then he went behind my back and called my wife. She told me I needed a change. She was right. I was working eighteen-hour days. She wanted me home safe, and I wanted peace in the house, so I said yes. I went to see him at Duke Point, gave notice at my old job, and started soon after. I’ve been here ever since.

I move food trailers that come over from Vancouver to the island. Every day we move about sixty trailers full of food, lumber, fish and other supplies. Everything people rely on. If you buy it in the grocery store, it probably came on off the ferry. Most passengers never think about our trailers as supply lines when they’re waiting in line.

If there’s ever an earthquake or big emergency, our trailers are cleared to go first. Food, water and medicine move before anything else. We’re a lifeline for the island, and that feels good to know. The faster we move goods, the faster they reach stores, restaurants and families. Other sea transport services for cargo can take twice as long, but we can turn it around in two and a half hours.

It’s a busy job, but every now and then there’s a moment that reminds me why I love it. A few years ago, an older woman couldn’t get her car started at the terminal. She thought the battery in her key fob was dead, so I took mine apart, gave her my battery and it worked. She was so grateful she sent a letter to the terminal manager. It wasn’t a big thing to me, just helping someone get home. But it feels good to help people.

I’ve worked in transport forty-five years. BC Ferries will probably be my last stop before I retire. I’ve enjoyed working with my colleagues, the shore crews and everyone on the ships. We’ve had some good laughs and plenty of stories to go around. It is always sad to lose someone that you have worked with as well.

I’m proud of what I do. Every trailer I move means full shelves, hot meals and steady work for people across the island. That’s something to be proud of.

Raj Ali, Local 2 Commercial Services Driver