VANCOUVER — The union president for workers of a fast ferry service that shuttles foot passengers between Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver says its members are voting on a potential strike after talks with the company broke down.
Eric McNeely with the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers' Union says 86 Hullo Ferries workers have yet to secure their first collective agreement after voting to unionize last September.
He says negotiations have been ongoing since February but Vancouver Island Ferry Company, which operates Hullo Ferries, declared an impasse Thursday night.
McNeely says 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 Ryan Dermody says in a statement that the employer's most recent proposal includes competitive compensation and enhanced benefits, which is a "strong step toward a shared goal."
He says navigating the negotiations "has been very complex for everyone involved" and its goal is to find a path forward that "works for everyone."
"Reaching a final agreement is a big undertaking and we are hopeful that we can find a resolution without any unnecessary disruption," Dermody says in the statement.
McNeely says members have until the end of Tuesday to vote and the results will be made public later next week, which means Labour Day weekend travel will not be impacted.
"We think there's plenty of room for discussion, and we want to do that, but our ability to do that is functionally gone when they leave the table," McNeely says of the employer.
The union would have to issue 72 hours' notice before a strike could begin.
McNeely says that would likely come after a town hall with the membership on Wednesday, noting a strike is only one of the options.
"We're hopeful that it doesn't come to that, and we know that our members want to keep providing a service, and have been doing a fantastic job over the past years."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2025.
Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press
