Latest news with #BCFerryandMarineWorkersUnion
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Shirtless man bit BC Ferries worker after hopping food counter, union says
The Spirit of British Columbia is shown in an undated file photo. ( An agitated man attacked a BC Ferries employee after leaping over a Coastal Café counter during a busy weekend sailing, according to the worker's union. Eric McNeely, president of the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers Union, said the incident unfolded during the 7 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay on Saturday, and began on the vehicle deck. A deckhand was reminding passengers to head up to the passenger deck, as required under Transport Canada regulations, when a shirtless man stepped out of a vehicle and 'started a physical altercation,' McNeely said. After a second employee came to help, the passenger ran upstairs and allegedly jumped into an employee-only area of the Coastal Café, where he fell onto his back. 'At that time the second (worker) was able to catch up to them,' McNeely said. 'The passenger started kicking and when the second (worker) reached to stop the boot of the passenger, the passenger spun around and bit (him on the arm).' A group of employees then managed to subdue the man. He was taken to a back room and restrained with help from an off-duty police officer, McNeely said. The RCMP was called and apprehended the passenger after the ferry arrived on Vancouver Island, according to the union. CTV News has reached out to the Sidney North Saanich RCMP for more information, but has not received a response. McNeely said the incident highlights some of the risks BC Ferries employees face while on the job. 'I can't think of another biting off the top of my head, but kicking and punching unfortunately isn't entirely uncommon,' he said. McNeely pointed to a 2019 employee survey that found 82 per cent of BC Ferries workers had experienced physical or verbal abuse from passengers. In a statement, BC Ferries told CTV News it is 'deeply concerned' by Saturday's incident. 'Our employees work hard every day to provide a safe and enjoyable journey for the thousands of passengers that travel with us. This kind of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,' the company said. 'We are offering support to the affected crew members and will be conducting an internal review to assess what occurred and identify any additional measures that may be needed.' With files from CTV News Vancouver's Kevin Charach
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
Crew member attacked, another bitten on board BC Ferry, union says
The BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union says a violent incident happened on board the BC Ferries Spirit of British Columbia on Saturday morning. The union says that on the 7 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, a deckhand was punched and kicked by a shirtless man on the vehicle deck. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The ship's second officer and security tried to intervene, the union said, but the man ended up racing through the galley and biting the second officer, drawing blood. An off-duty police officer then got involved and, along with several crew members, managed to subdue the man. The man was taken into custody by police at Swartz Bay. The ship's second officer went to the hospital for treatment as a precaution, the union said.
