Unifor members at Marine Atlantic begin collective bargaining

The bargaining committee representing Marine Atlantic workers at Unifor Local 4285 and 4286 met with the employer from March 26-28 to begin negotiations.
Marine Atlantic members service ferry routes that traverse from North Sydney, N.S. to Port Aux Basques, N.L. and Argentia, N.L.

"Unifor members at Marine Atlantic work in one of the most challenging and unpredictable environments as they help passengers make their way safely and comfortably through Atlantic Ocean waters between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador," said Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. "We expect this round of bargaining to reflect the incredible work Unifor members do to keep this vital link between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrabor running."

Unifor represents 631 members in Local 4285 who work as storekeepers, cooks, bosuns, quartermasters, deckhands, bridgewatch, carpenters, liferaft maintainers, certified and uncertified engine room assistants, and stewards.

Local 4286 has 100 members who work as senior chief stewards, pursers, chief stewards and senior chief cooks.

Their previous collective agreement expired December 31, 2022.