Hullo Ferries workers vote to unionize

Employees at the foot-passenger-only ferry service, Hullo Ferries, voted to unionize this week, joining the BC Ferry and Maritime Workers Union.

Union president Eric McNeely says the result from the vote came through on Monday.

“More than 80 per cent of the numbers voted in favour of joining the union,” McNelly told 1130 NewsRadio Tuesday.

McNeely says they will now meet with the company and start working toward a first contract with Hullo.

“It’s a new company, it’s a new startup. [But] certainly, on the West Coast, there’s a lot of organized workforces on the waterfront,” he explained.

He expects a good working relationship as they start negotiating.

“We’ll have a bargaining committee with our support, and entering into negotiations with the management of Hullo Ferries.”

In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, Hullo CEO Alastair Caddick says his company is working to “set a new standard for ferry service,” and that may include embracing a union.

“We believe the people who work at Hullo are some of the best in the region and so we look forward to working collaboratively with the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union to create a workplace that fosters collaboration, innovation and service,” said Caddick.

Hullo recently marked one year of service between downtown Vancouver and downtown Nanaimo.