UPDATE: In an e-mail sent this afternoon, Hullo stated that the ferry company and the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers' Union have both agreed to return to re-open negotiations.
"Operations will continue without disruption, and all sailings will be maintained as scheduled," stated the e-mail. "Safe, consistent, and reliable delivery of our service is paramount while seeking a negotiated resolution that meets the needs of our employees and our business."
PREVIOUSLY POSTED: An overwhelming majority of Hullo ferries' union workers are in favour of taking job action with collective bargaining agreement talks stalled.
B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers' Union told the News Bulletin on Friday, Aug. 29 that it was holding a strike vote over the long weekend after it said Hullo declared an impasse in negotiations for an inaugural deal. In a press release Tuesday, Sept. 2, the union stated that 91 per cent of its collective voted in favour of job action.
Eric McNeely, union president, said the vote showed a unified front from members who are 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,” he said in the press release. “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.”
A meeting for the union's 80 members is expected to take place Wednesday, Sept. 3, in order "to discuss the results and next steps," McNeely said in the press release.
The president also said that next steps might not necessarily mean setting up picket lines and could include petitions to management, wearing pins asking for "fair wages," or rotating strikes.
Hullo previously told the News Bulletin it is willing to continue discussions.
"To honour the integrity of the negotiation process, we are committed to keeping the specifics of these important conversations at the bargaining table," said Ryan Dermody, CEO, in an e-mail before the strike vote. "Discussions are ongoing, and our focus remains on working collaboratively toward a mutually agreeable outcome.”
