Hullo has asked for assistance from a third party as it works toward a collective bargaining agreement with its workers.
In an e-mailed statement, Ryan Dermody, interim CEO of Hullo, said the foot-passenger ferry company has filed for mediation with the B.C. Labour Relations Board "to support ongoing negotiations toward reaching a first collective agreement with [B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers' Union]."
In the meantime, it will be business as usual with all sailings continuing as scheduled, he said.
"We remain confident that a fair and constructive agreement will be reached through good-faith bargaining with mediation assistance," Dermody stated. "Our commitment to our team, our passengers, and the communities we connect remains our highest priority."
The union wasn't pleased with the announcement, stating that Hullo is employing a stall tactic as opposed to working on a deal. The company is avoiding "meaningful talks until after the busy travel season," the statement noted.
Eric McNeely, union president, also pointed out that the collective is working as talks start and stop.
“Our members show up every day, navigating vessels, helping passengers, responding to emergencies, keeping the ships that customers rely on in good repair," McNeely stated in the release. "Hullo treats them like they’re disposable. That’s unacceptable.”
He noted that members voted 91 per cent in favour of a strike "because they want a fair first contract" and are ready to bargain at "any time."
