The inland ferries are essential to the daily lives of our families, friends, and neighbors – transporting us to appointments, jobs, schools, and connecting us with extended family and friends. We are dedicated to maintaining the safety and reliability of ferry operations, which play a critical role in the local economy and quality of life.
However, after the ferry services were contracted out to Western Pacific Marine (WPM), there has been a noticeable decline in the maintenance of the boats, staffing levels, and overall operational sustainability. These issues are directly affecting the reliability of the service that our communities depend on.
Despite the importance of these services, WPM has not agreed to provide competitive wages or the necessary training programs to recruit and retain experienced personnel. Skilled workers in the maritime industry are in high demand across the region, from Vancouver to international markets, and without adequate compensation and support, WPM is struggling to keep the required number of qualified staff on board.
Ferry workers are concerned that if these issues are not addressed, the long-term sustainability of ferry services in our community will be at risk.
BCGEU members are calling on the government and the Ministry of Transportation to intervene. Specifically, we are asking for the employer to match the terms of the WaterBridge deal, including day-for-day scheduling, to help stabilize staffing and improve service reliability.
We are members of your community, and we ensure that the ferry routes operate smoothly every day. (moved from the top) It is crucial that these issues are resolved to ensure the continued operation of ferry services for the benefit of the community.
It’s time that the ferry operators and the Ministry of Transportation take the long-term sustainability of our ferries seriously.
That’s why we’re encouraging you to share the reasons that you support our fight for ferry service that we can count on. Send the below email as is or add your own story of how you rely on the ferries and support workers.
Click to email the province’s Ministry of Transportation.
Thank you for your support in saving our service!