B.C. Ferries cancels several sailings on key routes this weekend due to staff shortages

B.C. Ferries saysa staffing shortage has led to cancelled sailings connecting Metro Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.

A numberof sailings between Metro Vancouver and Victoriahave been called off because there are noavailable crew memberson the Queen of New Westminster to ensure the safety of passengers, B.C. Ferries said in a statement on their website.

The cancelled sailings are:

Friday

• 4p.m.Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.
• 6p.m.Swartz Bay toTsawwassen.

Sunday

• 4p.m.Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.
• 6p.m.Swartz Bay toTsawwassen.
• 8p.m.Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.
• 10p.m.Swartz Bay toTsawwassen.

Alternativeservice between Vancouver Island and the mainland is available via the Tsawwassen-Duke Point andHorseshoe Bay-Departure Bay routes.

Friday sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale on the Sunshine Coasthave also been affected by staffing shortages.

The 8:40 a.m. and 11 a.m. sailingsfrom Langdaleto Horseshoe Bay, and the9:50 a.m. and12:10p.m. sailings from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale have been cancelled.

B.C. Ferries said customers with bookings on cancelled sailings will be contacted to let them know if they can be placed on a sailing later in the day.

In the case of cancelled bookings,fees and fares will be refunded.

B.C. Ferries said it had exhausted all avenues to find replacement staff. If something were to change and replacement crew became available, customers would be immediately notified.

Sailings between ChemainusandPenelakut Islandon Thursday night were also cancelled due to staffing issues.A complimentary water taxi will be in service.

Impact on staff

Eric McNeely, president of the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers' Union, told CBC News he had warned of staffing issues at B.C. Ferries last year.

"There's always a fine line in business where you want to have an efficient operation and not have too much fat," he said.

"I think what we've seen is ... there's so many efficiencies that the resiliency that is needed in a fleet this large doesn't exist anymore."

McNeely says the cancellations are affecting union members who are being forced to work overtime or face negative interactions with travellers who have to be told their sailings are not going ahead. He also said casual and seasonal employees would miss out on payment if sailings are cancelled.

"If people are travelling, take a moment to consider that the person directing traffic or providing food is also just as valuable as a person with a ticket," he said.

He says B.C. Ferries must work to hire more staff with better compensation. He also says the government should pass an amendmentto the Coastal Ferry Act that is currently before the legislature. The amendment would see greater oversight over B.C. Ferries' operations.

On Friday, a spokesperson for B.C. Ferries said in an email statement theyare offering incentives to retain and recruit staff, such as payments for employees who refer a successful job candidate, a signing bonus for new hires, and a restart payment for ex-employees who are re-hired with B.C. Ferries.

TheMinistry of Transportation and Infrastructuretold CBC in an email thatB.C. Ferries is "a private corporation responsible for its own operational matters," and that the company has advised government of theircommitment to addressing staffing capacity issues through training and recruitment.