This author has not written his bio yet.
But we are proud to say that Rachel Garrick contributed 170 entries already.
BC Ferries has confirmed both new Island-class vessels for Route 6 will be homeported in Crofton, not Vesuvius Bay. We strongly oppose this decision. Crews who live on Salt Spring will be forced into long commutes or relocation, and the island’s emergency response capacity will take a hit. “This isn’t better for our members or […]
The union office will be closed Monday, August 5 for the B.C. Day holiday. We’ll reopen Tuesday morning. We know this isn’t a long weekend for most of our members. While others are enjoying the break, you’ll be out there doing some of the hardest work in the system, moving thousands of people, handling emergencies, […]
A few weeks ago, two high-profile incidents of violence against ferry workers made the news. But we know that’s just the tip of the iceberg. On the Spirit of British Columbia, two crew members were assaulted. On the Queen of Cumberland, a passenger with a sledgehammer was arrested at docking. These events made headlines, but […]
When we build ferry terminals or public infrastructure, every public dollar we spend should build our economy. Canadian steel supports thousands of good-paying union jobs (up to 120,000 direct and indirect nationwide). It meets higher environmental and labour standards than imported steel. It keeps our dollars circulating in our communities instead of shipping them overseas. […]
I was working at a little convenience store on Texada Island when a local deckhand came in. She looked at me and said, “We need deckhands. You should apply.” I thought, why not? I got hired on deck as a casual, but I’m a regular ERA now. That means I work in the engine […]
At a recent community forum, BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez made it clear that the plan to homeport both new Route 6 vessels in Crofton is a done deal. This move will remove all vessel-based jobs from the island, adding a two-hour commute for ferry workers. It will force some families to relocate. It will […]
In a new op-ed in the Vancouver Sun, President Eric McNeely responds to BC Ferries’ decision to buy four new vessels from a state-owned shipyard in China. He outlines the real cost of offshoring: lost jobs, lost skills, lost opportunities for Canadian workers, industries and communities. Eric argues that this decision didn’t have to happen. […]
Over a week ago, we wrote to BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez with questions about their procurement practices for steel needed for ferry repairs and terminal upgrades. We asked: • What does BC Ferries’ procurement policy say about sourcing steel for terminal and repair projects? • Are local suppliers and union labour prioritized? • Is […]
I grew up on Denman Island and back then, BC Ferries was the place to work. My brother was on the Denman run and the senior ticket agent recruited me. I can’t do the cold, so I didn’t work on the vessel, but ticketing was a good fit. I really like my job. I get […]
We’re proud to support the next generation of workers, leaders and changemakers through our annual education awards. This year, we awarded BCFMWU Tuition Awards, Barry Wartnow Endowment Fund bursaries and First Nations Vision Awards to members and their families pursuing post-secondary education. These awards reflect our union’s ongoing commitment to equity, opportunity and the belief […]
11marAll Day13Bargaining Conference 2025
Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, BC
1601 Bayshore Dr., Vancouver, BC V6G 2V4
Conference Timeline with Deadlines (PDF) Forms: Resolution Form (Fillable PDF) Nomination for Delegate 2025 (Fillable PDF) Nomination for Alternate