Mediated contract discussions for unionized Hullo Ferries workers are scheduled to resume between Decemer 3 and 5 (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

labour talks

‘We are getting close:’ Union reports productive contract talks with Hullo Ferries

Nov 3, 2025 | 12:01 PM

NANAIMO — Once choppy labour waters involving a popular passenger-only ferry service appear to have calmed down.

Due to a lack of progress in formulating an inaugural between Hullo Ferries and the BC Ferry & Marine Workers Union (BCFMWU), mediated contract discussions between Oct. 6 and 8 “went quite well,” according to union president Eric McNeely.

He said significant progress has been made in part due to the presence of an experienced mediator supplied from the B.C. Labour Relations Board.

“We are getting close to a first collective agreement. Our expectation is that we should be able to have that closed up before Christmas, that’s the hope that members get a negotiated agreement as opposed to going to a strike.”

McNeely said brokering an initial foundational contract takes are more time intensive than those built on prior relationships and agreements with established contract language.

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He said the highly regulated marine sector also provides additional time to iron out.

Due to commitments faced by the assigned mediator, the next round of talks are scheduled until Dec. 3 to 5.

“We’re optimistic that the three days in the beginning of December will result in a collective agreement that we can take to our membership to ratify,” McNeely said, noting key issues such as compensation and scheduling still need to be addressed.

Hullo Ferries representative Xander France said their company should be able to speak to a potential contract offer once the early December mediation discussions conclude.

An overwhelming late summer strike mandate of 91 per cent of about 80 unionized Hullo Ferries workers was conducted to back BCMFWU members’ contract demands, however at no point has job action commenced.

The workers officially joined the BCFMWU over a year ago.

Hullo Ferries, a private downtown to downtown passenger-only ferry between Nanaimo and Vancouver, debuted in August 2023.

The service features two new purpose-built ferries, which link the two ports in roughly 70 minutes.

— with files from Alex Rawnsley

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