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Post by Scott on Mar 18, 2007 14:43:42 GMT -8
When I was scanning the Morfitt report into BC Ferries safety a while ago, I came across a section on staffing and types of employees, and I was wondering if those familiar with working for BC Ferries could shed a little more light on what's on the report. Here's a summary of what's in the report in relation to types of employees:
1. There are the regular full time employees.
2. There is the "staffing pool" - not regular full time employees, but permanent employees, moved when needed, and guarenteed 242 working days per year.
3. Casual employees - not guarenteed any work, but on call year-round.
4. Seasonal employees - hired for the summer season and are on call... and I think they have some number of guarenteed work days per month for that 5 or 6 month period.
Right now BC Ferries is hiring casual and seasonal employees. So I'm assuming that's where almost everyone working for BC Ferries starts. Here are some questions:
Are these aforementioned employee types the same for shore and ship-based employees?
Is it possible to be seasonal and casual at the same time? Do some workers get hired for the seasonal rush, then enter the casual pool?
It's probably different for every position, but is it a long wait to get from "casual" to the "staffing pool" and then to full time regular employment?
All those people at Canada Place yesterday directing people and dressing up as captain seahawk... were they probably casual employees?
I'll leave it at that for now. I'm sure others will have more comments and questions about working for BC Ferries.
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Post by nolonger on Mar 18, 2007 21:27:10 GMT -8
Employee types are the same for both ship board and shore side employees.
Is it possible to be both seasonal and casual? Seasonal employees are basically casuals without benefits or guaranteed hours. Seasonals are able to become casuals but most quit before they get there.
In Nanaimo the wait to get a regular position from casual is approx. 10 years. I believe it is much shorter in Mainland Terminals and Langdale
I wasn't at Canada place yesterday but I would assume that those people there were crew from the Northern Adventure, along with some from Management, and probably some were most likely employees of Canada Place.. As for Mr. Salty, well rumor has it the latest Master to damage a ferry or dock gets to wear the "bird suit" for a month.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2007 21:42:43 GMT -8
It took an ex-co-worker of mine about 6-8 years to go from seasonal to casual to full time worker. Until she became full-time with the ferries, she was working two jobs. We would see her in the off-season---fall, winter and spring. At one point she had to give up her full time position with our company as she didn't work enough hours per week. Full time jobs with the Ferries are posted in-house and people have to apply for them.
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Post by Scott on Mar 20, 2007 18:16:29 GMT -8
Does a casual on-call employee basically have to be ready to go to work for BC Ferries 24/7 all year round? It seems like making workers go through that for 5-6 years is a tough way to attract employees.
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Post by nolonger on Mar 20, 2007 18:25:19 GMT -8
cut and pasted from the CBA,
A casual employee shall normally be contacted during the periods of 0445 hours to 1345 hours and 1700 hours to 2000 hours, for the purpose of receiving work assignments.
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Post by nolonger on Mar 20, 2007 20:51:41 GMT -8
Does a casual on-call employee basically have to be ready to go to work for BC Ferries 24/7 all year round? It seems like making workers go through that for 5-6 years is a tough way to attract employees. yes it is, especially when there is no guaranteed hours. Some casuals take regular jobs at more remote points of assembly to get there sooner but then it takes time to get back to their home terminal and this is not really suitable for those with families who don't want to uproot the kids etc. Most hols more than one job to make ends meet. It's tough, but the carrot at the end of the stick is a regular position way down the road with good benefits and a pension. |
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 20, 2007 21:58:19 GMT -8
Is it true BC Ferries dosent like you to have another job if you are on call?  You need two jobs to live if your just working on call at the ferries. I think they need a better system then that. Why is it like that??? I can see why they have trouble getting people. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2007 22:14:13 GMT -8
Whatever company one works for that company thinks that they should come first. Which makes having more than one job difficult. Being on call for the ferries, meant that my co-worker had to call in sick a number of times. During the busy summer months she had lots of hours with the ferries. I also know a couple of people who didn't have a second job and lived on their credit cards.
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Post by Ferryman on Mar 20, 2007 22:20:58 GMT -8
I dropped off an application form and resume at the Horseshoe Bay terminal at the begginning of the month. I haven't heard back from them yet, so I continue on with my current job. I guess I'll wait and see what they have to offer, if they decide to offer anything, and then make a decision with whether or not I should go for it.....yet.
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Post by Barnacle on Mar 21, 2007 8:26:29 GMT -8
Chris, Having been in a similar position with Washington State Ferries, I can tell you it's best to do something like this while you're young, unattached, and preferably living at home  with parents who will charge you a reasonable rent etc. instead of trying to survive the "real" world. Chase yer dreams, man. |
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Post by Dane on Mar 21, 2007 16:32:26 GMT -8
What a stupid system.
I have my formal BCIT entrance stuff in a few months, maybe I won't even look at BC Ferries. With so many other marine employers that will allow me to have a life I think I'd prefer that.
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 21, 2007 16:56:30 GMT -8
It is stupid but I gave it a shot and got called so i'll see what they have to offer.
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Doug
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Lurking within...the car deck.
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Post by Doug on Mar 21, 2007 16:57:50 GMT -8
What a stupid system. I have my formal BCIT entrance stuff in a few months, maybe I won't even look at BC Ferries. With so many other marine employers that will allow me to have a life I think I'd prefer that. What course did you take at BCIT, Dane? |
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Post by Dane on Mar 21, 2007 18:06:52 GMT -8
Im looking at their marine programmes, I wanna finish my degree first.
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Post by Engineer on Mar 28, 2007 10:47:12 GMT -8
What a stupid system. I have my formal BCIT entrance stuff in a few months, maybe I won't even look at BC Ferries. With so many other marine employers that will allow me to have a life I think I'd prefer that. very smart move believe me......... |
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Post by Guest on Apr 5, 2007 17:01:05 GMT -8
Anyone know the average starting wage for a deckhand and how many hours "one shift" is?
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Post by nolonger on Apr 6, 2007 1:05:38 GMT -8
Most rtes are between 8 and 10 hours per day. Exceptions are the live aboards, Mill Bay and Hornby-Denman which are 12 hour shifts.
Starting wage for a seasonal deckhand/bridgewatchman is about
$20.25/hr. Seasonal employees make 90% of the regular or casual wage.
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Post by Scott on Apr 6, 2007 7:45:55 GMT -8
Seeing it's a long weekend with all the extra sailings, I suppose there are many workers who got "called in" today. I know when my brother was a nurse, he'd get called in but usually had a bit of warning and I think he could say that he couldn't make it sometimes. How is it with BC Ferries? Do they call you 30 minutes before they need you or is there generally several hours of warning? My guess is that they try to schedule casuals and seasonals in as early as possible but have to call up on short notice when someone calls in sick or something?? And what if a casual can't make it? They're fired or get put down at the bottom of the list?
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Post by nolonger on Apr 6, 2007 8:13:59 GMT -8
Seeing it's a long weekend with all the extra sailings, I suppose there are many workers who got "called in" today. I know when my brother was a nurse, he'd get called in but usually had a bit of warning and I think he could say that he couldn't make it sometimes. How is it with BC Ferries? Do they call you 30 minutes before they need you or is there generally several hours of warning? My guess is that they try to schedule casuals and seasonals in as early as possible but have to call up on short notice when someone calls in sick or something?? And what if a casual can't make it? They're fired or get put down at the bottom of the list? Uh no but they do get put down as a " non available" or "refusal" to work. More than one of these may result in a meeting with the Marine Supt. and a pattern may result in discipline. up to and including dismissal. However they are reluctant to fire any body these days due to a severe shortage of qualified workers. With scheduled extra sailings, most of the casuals know a few days ahead where they'll be. Some are kept on the beach in case of a need for a replacement due to illness etc. |
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Apr 6, 2007 8:36:48 GMT -8
When you talk about shortage of qualified workers, are you talking with what you currently have, applications into BC Ferries, or looking for a job in the marine transportation field?
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Post by nolonger on Apr 6, 2007 9:12:20 GMT -8
We have a current shortage of certificated employees. Deck officers, Engineers, deckhands and Terminal Equipment operators. Some of this is more than just specific to BCFS as there is a world wide shortage, ( Seaspan run ads in the paper all the time) but also BCFS is no longer an employer of choice, (something they used to be and still think they are but aren't.) mainlydue to lower wages.
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Post by Scott on Apr 17, 2007 18:07:52 GMT -8
I understand that it's tough for BC Ferries to attract employees when they make them work as casuals for years before they have the opportunity to work as full timers. They have to crew 4-5 extra ships in the peak season and can't afford to keep these ships going all year round. Are there casuals .... probably senior casuals who choose to stay as casual since they can sort of choose when they work? Or does every casual want to get on full time for benefits and stuff? How does a casual get on full time? Are they "promoted" or do they have to apply for "in house" job postings?
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Post by nolonger on Apr 17, 2007 21:09:14 GMT -8
I understand that it's tough for BC Ferries to attract employees when they make them work as casuals for years before they have the opportunity to work as full timers. They have to crew 4-5 extra ships in the peak season and can't afford to keep these ships going all year round. Are there casuals .... probably senior casuals who choose to stay as casual since they can sort of choose when they work? Or does every casual want to get on full time for benefits and stuff? How does a casual get on full time? Are they "promoted" or do they have to apply for "in house" job postings? They have to apply. a job will go to the senior qualified person who has applied. |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 21, 2007 8:48:29 GMT -8
You know why they cant get anyone?? Cause no one wants on call or seasonal employment. Having to always be available when they call and if it happens more than 3 times your off the list. What kind of company hires on call?? That is rediculas. I had an interview in Nanaimo for a warehouse position. Even that was on call. I dident get the job but what another thing that pisses me off, why they phone for references if they arent gonna hire you. Waste of time on their part. Really a stupid system as far as employment. I dont know if I will apply next year. Dont know if I even want to work there now. Maybe I will go to Westjet. At least they dont hire on call.
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Post by kylefossett on Apr 21, 2007 20:14:14 GMT -8
as having been in the position of one of those people that interviews, checks references and then decides if they are going to hire someone i can tell you a few reasons for checking references. we want to know if we are hiring a reliable honest employee that is going to work out for us. about the oncall situation and casual situation. almost every company that i have ever worked for has had a probation period ranging from 30-90 days. the company i am with now has a 90 day probation period and during this time you are considered part time but we can almost guarantee you 40 hrs a week.
sometimes if you want the job really bad you have to make sacrifices. in the bc labour market right now there is a lot more in the employees favour because of labour shortages.
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You need two jobs to live if your just working on call at the ferries. I think they need a better system then that. Why is it like that??? I can see why they have trouble getting people. 
with parents who will charge you a reasonable rent etc. instead of trying to survive the "real" world.
