Hullo Ferries workers vote in favour of job action, next steps to be determined

A Hullo Ferries vessel departs downtown Vancouver en route to Nanaimo, B.C., on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Unionized workers at Hullo Ferries have voted 91 per cent in favour of taking job action but have stopped short of issuing strike notice, the union said Tuesday.

Membership voted over the weekend, a process that delivered results the union’s leader said send a clear message to the employer.

“This result shows just how united Hullo workers are,” Eric McNeely, president of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union said in a statement.

“They know their worth and they’re ready to fight for it.”

The company said the two sides would be returning to the bargaining table after agreeing to resume negotiations on the heels of the strike vote.

“Operations will continue without disruption, and all sailings will be maintained as scheduled,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“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.”

McNeely has previously said he cannot provide specific demands but confirmed the union has been advocating for better wages, schedules, work-life balance and job stability.

Hullo Ferries’ CEO said in a statement, after negotiations broke down, that the employer’s most recent proposal includes competitive compensation and enhanced benefits, which is a “strong step toward a shared goal.”

The union will have to issue 72 hours’ notice before a strike can begin. McNeely has said walking off the job is only one of the options on the table and if a deal isn’t reached the “next steps” will be decided by the membership, which is set to meet Wednesday evening.

With files from The Canadian Press