VANCOUVER— The BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union (BCFMWU) is calling on federal candidates to commit to stronger investment in B.C.’s ferry system, as part of a push to make marine transportation a priority in the 2025 federal election.

The union has released an election advocacy kit to help members raise key issues with candidates in their communities—from aging vessels to chronic underfunding and a lack of worker input on safety.

“Our ferries are lifelines for coastal communities, but they’re underfunded, increasingly unreliable and in serious need of federal attention,” said Eric McNeely, president. “We’re asking candidates to treat our ferries the same way they treat highways and public transit—essential infrastructure that deserves long-term investment.”

While BC Ferries carries more than 21 million passengers and an estimated $8 billion in cargo each year, it receives about $35 million annually in federal support—compared to $380 million in operating funds for VIA Rail and almost $130 million for Marine Atlantic.

“Our members keep the system running every day, and they know what’s needed to keep it safe,” McNeely said. “We’re calling for fair funding, stronger safety measures, and a real voice for workers.”

The BCFMWU represents more than 4,500 ferry and marine workers across the province. The full election kit is available here.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT
Rachel Garrick | Communications Officer | BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union | 604-561-3703 | rachelgarrick@bcfmwu.com

The BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union represents more than 4,500 ferry and marine workers across British Columbia. From deckhands and terminal workers to engineers and stewards, we keep the coast moving.

Gregor Craigie spoke with Eric McNeely, thePresident of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union.

Read More

Low employee morale and a bitter dispute over overtime pay are adding to the challenges for BC Ferries, says the head of the union representing workers at the publicly owned company.

“The relationship between the employer and the employees, and the employer and the union, is at… an all-time low,” said Eric McNeely, president of the 4,000-member BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union.

McNeely said he doesn’t remember the relationship ever being so strained in the 14 years he has worked for BC Ferries. “I meet with members every time I travel, just about everywhere I go, and they’re struggling and they shouldn’t have to struggle to get the pay that they are owed for doing the work they conducted.”

BC Ferries has had a growing number of cancelled sailings, many of them due to staffing shortages. Ferries can’t sail unless they meet the minimum crew requirements Transport Canada sets. That has meant travellers with and without reservations experiencing long waits, even on weekdays in October when ferry traffic is relatively light.

Read More

A union representing marine workers is taking BC Ferries to task over one of the company’s policies regarding facial hair.

Dan Kimmerly, president of the Ships Officers’ Component of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union, says three employees are looking for religious exemptions from the policy that men must be clean-shaven

“The members that we’re directly representing in this specific instance right now are from the Sikh community,” Kimmerly said.

All employees are expected to have clean-shaven faces in case they need to wear masks while fighting fires on the vessel, but Kimmerly says the policy differs depending on where in the company employees are located.

Read More

“Western Maritime Institute and the Ferry Workers’ Union are pleased to announce another five-year agreement, sponsoring Ferry Workers who wish to further their careers in the marine industry. The Ferry Workers’ Union and Western Maritime Institutes Colin Laird & Harry Cameron memorial scholarship is part of an ongoing relationship between education and labour to ease the shortage of skilled seafarers within Canada” – BCFMWU Provincial President Eric McNeely

The Western Maritime Institute, www.maritimeed.com, and BCFMWU are proud to offer full scholarships to two (2) successful Union members for the upcoming Deckhand/Bridge Watch Rating Certificate course.  The course will commence January 10, 2022 through March 22, 2022. The scholarship offer includes tuition and all required MED courses.  Both scholarships will be awarded from all applications received by close of business November 1^st, 2021.

Read More