Service cuts, vessel breakdowns, offshore shipbuilding and the loss of community voices: it’s all connected. And the communities that rely on ferries every day are paying the price. We’ve teamed up with former Ferry Advisory Committee chairs to say enough is enough. Coastal ferry service should be shaped by input from the people who live […]
Last week, I wrote to Canada’s new Minister of Transport, Chrystia Freeland, and Secretary of State for Labour, John Zerucelli. We welcomed them to their new roles and made sure they heard directly from us about what matters to ferry workers. From lack of federal investment in B.C.’s ferry system to gaps in labour standards […]
Last week, I travelled the North Coast with our SOC President Capt Chris Klassen and the Local 10 and 15 presidents, visiting members in Sandspit, Skidegate, aboard the Northern Adventure, the Kwuna, and participating in two joint local meetings while docked in Prince Rupert. It was a great chance to meet with crews, hear what’s […]
Photo via the City of Vancouver Archives. On May 23, 1914, the Komagata Maru arrived in Vancouver carrying 376 passengers, most of whom were denied entry due to racist immigration laws. The ship was forced to return to India, where many passengers were met with violence. This anniversary is a reminder of Canada’s history of […]
On Monday, our union proudly joined the Victoria Day Parade with a decorated truck in support of Mabuhay!, an annual celebration of Filipino culture and community. Members, families and friends came together to celebrate and show our solidarity with the Bayanihan Cultural and Housing Society and the broader Filipino community. This year’s parade appearance carried […]
Our union hall will be closed on Monday, May 19 for Victoria Day, but we know many of you will still be out there doing what you always do: showing up, getting the job done, and keeping the coast moving. Statutory holidays look different for ferry and marine workers. While many British Columbians are spending […]
This May 18, on the International Day for Women in Maritime, we celebrate the strength, skill and perseverance of women in maritime. The International Maritime Organization has declared this year’s theme An Ocean of Opportunities for Women, a reminder that women are not just part of the maritime world, they’re helping lead it. On our […]
For two months, passengers with mobility issues have been unable to safely access the upper decks of the Northern Adventure due to a broken elevator. For many, especially those in remote North Coast communities, this vessel is the only connection to health care, family and essential services. Front-line workers are caught in the middle, unable […]
We’ve sent letters to Prime Minister Mark Carney calling for long-overdue federal investment in B.C.’s ferry system. We believe British Columbians deserve equal treatment. Ferries are not a luxury. They are vital public infrastructure. Quick facts: Federal transportation funding Recipient Operating Funds Capital Funds Total Grants Year VIA Rail $381.8 million $184.7 million $566.5 million […]
WorkSafeBC rules say you must be clean-shaven to wear certain respirators. But for some workers—especially Sikh men—shaving isn’t an option because of their faith. Right now, that means they’re being shut out of some jobs, even when safe alternatives exist. That’s not fair, and it’s not necessary. We’re not asking for safety standards to be […]