Better ferry service starts with workers

BC Ferries has submitted its plans and financial forecasts for Performance Term 7, or PT7, covering April 2028 to March 2032.

The submission helps the BC Ferries commissioner assess future fare limits and major investments. For workers, it also offers a look at the employer’s plans for staffing, scheduling and labour costs.

One item stands out: investing in workers improved service. Crew-related cancellations fell 42 per cent between fiscal 2025 and 2026, with BC Ferries crediting recruitment, retention, training and greater staffing depth. Mechanical issues and extreme weather now account for more cancellations than crew shortages.

Despite those gains, the submission sets out plans to reduce ongoing labour costs through what BC Ferries calls “workforce optimization.” It links increased bargaining-unit wages to the need to address labour cost inefficiencies, but doesn’t explain which jobs, hours or working arrangements would change.

Members deserve clear answers about how those savings would be achieved (attrition, reduced overtime, better scheduling, or fewer staff per sailing) and what they would mean for workloads, fatigue, job security and dependable hours.

The submission also describes changes to the systems used to recruit, schedule, manage and pay employees. Better systems could help workers, but their success must also be measured in accurate pay, workable schedules and reliable support.

Ferry workers should ask if these investments improve staffing, scheduling, fatigue management, and training or will cost-cutting put more pressure on workers?

Canadian minimum crewing requirements are described as a significant cost pressure, with BC Ferries describing Transport Canada’s requirement for six crew on Island Class vessels as an added cost without an increase in service. That framing ignores that safety requirements are not meant to increase sailings.

BC Ferries suggests Canada’s crewing requirements are higher than other jurisdictions, but doesn’t compare operating conditions. Safe staffing needs to reflect the vessels, routes, conditions and emergency responsibilities crews face here in B.C.

BC Ferries’ has shown that investing in workers reduced cancellations; plans for the next performance term must protect those gains.

Better ferry service depends on trained, supported crews. Workers’ wages, hours and passenger safety need to be central to the plan.