MEDIA RELEASE | Hullo files for mediation instead of meeting union at the table

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For immediate release
September 5, 2025

NANAIMO — Hullo Ferries’ management is stalling instead of bargaining after the company filed for mediation in response to the union’s conditions for resuming talks.

“Last week the employer declared impasse after tabling a single ‘take it or leave it’ proposal. Since then, they’ve backpedaled on declaring an impasse and now filed for mediation,” said BCFMWU President Eric McNeely.

The union says Hullo’s strategy is clear: avoid meaningful talks until after the busy travel season.

“Our members show up every day, navigating vessels, helping passengers, responding to emergencies, keeping the ships that customers rely on in good repair. Hullo treats them like they’re disposable. That’s unacceptable.”

“If Hullo really cared about reliability for passengers, they’d treat the workers who keep them moving with respect,” said McNeely. “When workers are underpaid and disrespected, they’re asking workers to subsidize the service. That’s not sustainable over the long term.”

“Our members gave us a 91 per cent strike mandate because they want a fair first contract,” McNeely said. “We are ready to bargain directly, any time.”

BCFMWU will keep members updated on next steps as the mediation process unfolds.

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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.

 

MEDIA RELEASE | Hullo ferry workers vote ninety-one per cent in favour of job action

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NANAIMO — Ninety-one per cent of Hullo Ferry workers have voted in favour of job action following the employer’s refusal to bargain fairly for a first collective agreement.

“This result shows just how united Hullo workers are,” said Eric McNeely, president of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union (BCFMWU). “They know their worth and they’re ready to fight for it.”

The strike vote comes after the employer declared an impasse immediately after the union tabled a counter-proposal last week. Hullo workers have been waiting for nearly a year for a contract, seeking fair wages, predictable schedules and job security.

“Our members want to keep serving passengers under conditions that respect the skill and training their jobs demand,” said McNeely. “Ferry travel requires moving people safely through terminals, navigating busy shipping lanes, safety drills, emergency response and ship maintenance to ensure hundreds of people get across the strait safely every day. That professionalism deserves respect in their first agreement.”

The union has scheduled a meeting for the bargaining unit’s nearly 80 members on Wednesday night to discuss the results and next steps. McNeely emphasized the union remains open to negotiation.

“Workers keep this service running safely every day. They want to keep doing that,” said McNeely. “We hope the employer will come back to the table and bargain fairly.”

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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

MEDIA RELEASE | Hullo Ferries declares bargaining impasse, forcing workers to take strike vote

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For immediate release August 29, 2025

NANAIMO — Hullo Ferries has declared an impasse in bargaining, forcing the union to take a strike vote.

“We don’t want to disrupt service, but our members can’t wait forever,” said Eric McNeely, president of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union. “Our members would rather be serving passengers than preparing job action. But after nearly a year of waiting for an agreement, they’ve been left with no choice.”

In nearly a year without a contract, and despite tabling a fair wage and benefits proposal months ago, the employer has made only one counter proposal. Instead of bargaining seriously, the company has now declared impasse, refusing to move forward unless workers accept its terms.

“Declaring impasse after so little movement is a sign the employer isn’t serious about reaching a fair deal,” said McNeely. “Our members keep passengers moving every day. They deserve respect and a fair contract.”

“Hullo Ferry workers want stability for themselves and the travelling public. The solution is simple: the employer needs to come back to the table and bargain in good faith.”

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

Barnston Island ferry workers join BCFMWU

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MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release June 16, 2025

Barnston Island ferry workers join BC Ferries & Marine Workers’ Union

VICTORIA — The BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union is proud to welcome Barnston Island ferry workers as our newest members.

These workers provide a lifeline to one of the Lower Mainland’s most unique communities, home to rich farmland, parkland and the Katzie First Nation’s Barnston Island 3 Reserve. The Barnston Island ferry ensures access to services, school and supplies for island residents, while supporting local farms and small businesses.

As union members, these workers now join more than 4,500 marine and ferry workers across the province in standing up for fairness, safety and a strong voice at work.

“Public ferry service is essential, whether it’s serving a major route or a small community like Barnston Island,” said BCFMWU President Eric McNeely. “We’re proud to represent these workers and will stand with them every step of the way as we negotiate their first collective agreement.”

This expansion reflects the union’s continued work to strengthen public ferry service across B.C. and ensure every ferry and marine worker has union support.

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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.

Elevator outage on Northern Adventure highlights accessibility gaps for disabled passengers

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PRINCE RUPERT – Passengers with disabilities have been forced to crawl up stairs or pay others to carry them aboard BC Ferries’ Northern Adventure, which has been operating without a functioning elevator for nearly 10 weeks.

The vessel came out of refit and resumed service February 22 but with the elevator non-operational. The elevator was briefly returned to operation on April 26 but failed again within 24 hours. BC Ferries has not completed repairs due to challenges sourcing parts for the European-made lift.

“This is a clear human rights failure,” said Eric McNeely, president of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union. “This shouldn’t be happening in 2025. Delays sourcing a part are not an excuse. When people’s dignity and safety are on the line, you find a solution fast.”

Front-line ferry workers are facing daily tension and conflict as travelers requiring assistance are left without safe or dignified ways to reach upper decks.

The Northern Adventure serves remote coastal communities and for many passengers, it’s their only route to medical care, family and essential services. The union is calling for urgent repairs, immediate accommodations for passengers requiring assistance and a plan to prevent future failures.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Garrick | Communications Officer | 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.

B.C.’s ferry workers urge federal candidates to prioritize marine transportation

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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.

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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.

BC Ferries on track for record summer as union claims vessel maintenance is rushed

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

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BC Ferries considers a 30 percent fare hike

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BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union president Eric McNeely talks to Gloria Macarenko about the impact on workers of major fare hikes over the next three years.

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‘Functionally broken:’ union boss sounds off on sour relationship with BC Ferries

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NANAIMO — Claiming BC Ferries is ignoring a contractually enshrined overtime provision, the union president representing 4,000 employees says an ongoing conflict is compounding already low morale.

Eric McNeely, president of the BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union, issued a memo to its members last week, stating their grievance has been denied by the employer.

While overtime compensation is being adhered to, McNeely said their entitled Premium Overtime Rate of additional benefits, including a pay boost, is no longer being provided.

“People will be less likely to accept overtime or stay for that extra long day and that could have an impact on the reliability or frequency of sailings. I think that is where the public has an interest,” McNeely told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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BC Ferries’ Labour Relations at ‘All-Time Low’, Says Union

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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.

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BCFMWU is the largest maritime union in Canada, representing more than 4500 members

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