At BC Ferries, we are enhancing our work culture and becoming an organization that that people are proud to be a part of.
Supporting our people
We are currently working on making improvements in staff-identified areas of interest which include employee training, workplace planning, and mentoring programs.
Respectful workplace for staff
In fiscal 2024, we introduced a respectful workplace course for our staff to ensure the work environment:
- Is inclusive
- Values diversity
- Clearly communicates expectations around behaviour
- Promotes employee health and safety
- Provides resources and training to resolve disputes
- Has open channels of communication
Recruitment & Retention Efforts
We are improving experience for our people through:
- Increasing regular positions, especially for licensed officers
- Implementing day-for-day work hours in the Northern Gulf Island region
- Introducing a flexible availability program for casual employees
- Ensuring casual workers receive guaranteed shifts
- Negotiating a one-year 7.75% general wage increase for unionized team members
To help attract and retain exceptional talent, we:
- Introduced incentives and guaranteed hours for new employees
- Enhanced allowances for employees with certain technical qualifications and those who work overnight hours
- Increased training budgets to support employees who train to reach higher qualifications and boosted its cadet training program
We are supporting work-life balance through:
- Training, support, and career path options
- Making casual employees regular
- Providing guaranteed work hours to casual employees
- Improving schedule and shift patterns
Expanding our crew
In fiscal 2024, we hired 972 new team members, including 650 new staff to support peak summer travel season and ensure a smooth travel experience for our customers.
Exempt benefits enhancements
In fiscal 2024, we made key improvements to benefits and wages for our exempt staff. The first part of these changes were announced late last year and the second phase of these changes came into effect on April 1, 2024 corresponding with our fiscal year. Key phase 1 updates included:
- Removal of a 3-month waiting period for benefits start date
- Removal of a $100 annual deductible for paramedical coverage
- Increasing health coverage reimbursement to 100% after $1000 of health benefits has been paid
- Providing orthodontic coverage for adults and children at 55% reimbursement to a lifetime max of $3,500
- Removing the per-visit maximum for mental health coverage and an increase in annual maximum to $2000
- Increased maternity and parental leave top-up to 100% base pay for 8 weeks of medical recovery for maternity leave and 9 weeks of parental leave
Our people
“Food is an important part of people’s journey. I like working in the fast-paced environment. We see many people in a day and we try to get it right the first time.”
-Katia Younes,
Customer Service Attendant
Union wage arbitration
BC Ferries proactively agreed to re-open wage negotiations six months earlier than required in order to start to address wage disparities, improve the standard of living for its people, and better compete in a challenging labour market for mariners. BC Ferries’ unionized team members received a one-year 7.75% general wage increase. The wage increase was applied retroactively to October 1, 2023 and be in place to March 31, 2025. These new compensation levels help to recognize the valuable contributions of our staff, helping us be an employer of choice.
The Company and Union will return to negotiations to establish 2025 wages in late 2024.
Diversity, equity and inclusion: International Women's Day celebration
International Women’s Day 2024 was a momentous occasion aboard the Island Discovery as the Powell River to Texada Island route was crewed entirely by women.
To celebrate, every crew position on board was staffed by a woman, including the master, mate, deckhands, senior chief engineer and engine room assistant. This year’s International Women’s Day theme was “Inspire Inclusion” and supporting employment equity and diversity in the workplace is paramount at BC Ferries.
BC Ferries is continuously working to ensure a safe and supportive work environment where gender equity is at the forefront. Recent employee initiatives include implementing all-gender change rooms and washroom facilities as well as providing free feminine hygiene products. All gender washrooms and free feminine hygiene products can also be found on board our vessels.
To celebrate, every crew position on board was staffed by a woman, including the master, mate, deckhands, senior chief engineer and engine room assistant. This year’s International Women’s Day theme was “Inspire Inclusion” and supporting employment equity and diversity in the workplace is paramount at BC Ferries.
BC Ferries is continuously working to ensure a safe and supportive work environment where gender equity is at the forefront. Recent employee initiatives include implementing all-gender change rooms and washroom facilities as well as providing free feminine hygiene products. All gender washrooms and free feminine hygiene products can also be found on board our vessels.
What's next?
BC Ferries is enhancing its recruitment and retention strategies by upgrading its HR systems.
This modernization will improve employee interactions from onboarding to retirement, enabling more adaptive support and ensuring our responsiveness to changing market conditions.
This initiative is central to our commitment to a dynamic workplace.