This author has not written his bio yet.
But we are proud to say that Rachel Garrick contributed 170 entries already.
I came to Canada in 1995 from the former Yugoslavia with my master mariner certificate. It took me three years to complete all my examinations again in Canada. I first applied to BC Ferries in 1998 and applied again in 1999. I was living in Kitchener-Waterloo when they called me for an interview in Little […]
BC Ferries’ board chair said the quiet part out loud at the BC Ferry Authority annual general meeting last week: improved service “didn’t happen by management” or the board. The chair acknowledged that workers are responsible for improved on-time performance, fewer cancellations and moving more passengers. Workers delivered, as we always do. The admission came […]
Our work can be demanding. Members work long hours, cover shortages, deal with frustrated and impaired passengers, and respond to emergencies. Sometimes you witness something traumatic, then you’re expected to carry on with the next sailing. We know that stress and pressure doesn’t disappear when your shift ends. WorkSafeBC is considering new rules that would […]
I came to BC Ferries because my wife asked me to find a job closer to home. At the time, I was working on live-aboard tugs in the Arctic, six months on and six months off. I started at BC Ferries as a seasonal deckhand. I wasn’t kept on after my first year, and when […]
The union hall will be closed Monday, September 7, for Labour Day. Regular hours will resume Tuesday, September 8. Many BCFMWU members will be hard at work through the final long weekend of summer and the back-to-school rush, keeping people, vehicles and goods moving safely along the coast. Thank you for everything you do. If […]
I never really planned to spend my career at BC Ferries. I grew up in Nelson and moved to the coast when I was 18. We had visited Vancouver Island when I was younger, and I always liked riding the ferry. The whole process of going to the terminal and getting on the ship was […]
Last week, the federal government announced a $32-million investment in ferry infrastructure in Prince Edward Island. The contract went to Dexter Construction, a Canadian company based in Nova Scotia. “Investments like this support economic growth in Eastern Canada,” Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said in announcing the project. We agree. But why is B.C. treated differently […]
If you work shifts, you don’t need to be told that getting enough sleep can be a challenge. Fatigue and shift work are issues we hear about regularly from our members and a new survey shows if you’re struggling with sleep, you’re far from alone. Almost half of Canadian workers aren’t getting seven to eight […]
I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t passionate about the marine industry. It runs in my family. My uncle and my cousin are both captains, and growing up I always thought it was an adventurous profession. Before coming to Canada in 2013, I spent about 14 years at sea, working on different kinds […]
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating wildfires burning across B.C., including the thousands of people forced from their homes. We also recognize the firefighters, emergency responders and workers who are keeping communities and essential services running during an incredibly difficult time. While the most serious wildfire activity is currently away from much […]
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