The B.C. Ferries company stated that unionized workers will receive a minimum 7.75 percent raise for one year. The goal is to attract and keep workers and prevent cancellations due to lack of crew.
Last October, B.C. Ferries resumed negotiations with the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union to address issues of high inflation and wage differences that could lead to workers leaving for better-paying jobs.
B.C. Ferries president Nicolas Jimenez mentioned in a press release that they realized the need for higher wages to become an attractive employer once again. He also remarked that it has been a long time coming to reach this point.
Several ferry workers, including licensed mariners, are also in line for a special wage increase, with some mariners receiving an additional 10 percent.
The settlement, agreed upon after arbitration, will be effective from October 1, 2023, and will remain in place until March 31, 2025.
Jimenez highlighted that this increase is one of the largest in the company's history and among the biggest in the country for a company of its size.
B.C. Ferries reported that 40 percent of ferry cancellations in the last fiscal year were due to staff shortages.
The company mentioned that it has hired over 1,000 new staff in the past year and has seen a 37 percent decrease in cancellations due to lack of staff. It believes that the new compensation levels will help continue this trend.
The current collective agreement will extend until October 31, 2025, with provisions to reopen wage talks in April 2025.
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