The BC Ferry and Marine Worker’s Union (BCFMWU) which represents the employees of BC Ferries, including those operating out of the Prince Rupert Harbour, is angry about the controversial pension for outgoing CEO David Hahn.
The union says that its unacceptable that Hahn would be given an bonus pension of over $200,000 a year while the workers for the company – which the union argues are just as responsible for the success of BC Ferries – get nothing.
“Board Chair, Donald Hayes, while justifying Hahn’s compensation and pension among other points, quotes an increase in customer satisfaction survey results. Did David Hahn and his executive team do this by themselves? BCFMWU members should share in any success BC Ferries enjoys today,” says the Union
The union complains that while Hahn will be collecting a total pension of $315,000 every year for the rest of his life, 18 of their members who work in BC Ferry’s Commercial Services Division are working without pension plans at all.
According to the union’s calculations it would only take $70,000 a year to give these employees their own pensions, 22 per cent of what the board decided to let Hahn collect from the company every year.
Union president, Richard Goode says he would like to see the company reward its employees for the success of BC Ferries instead of giving a large end-of-career bonus to one executive.
“We recognize the value that our members provide to the overall success of BCFS and so should the Company and the Board. The best way to show that appreciation would be providing a fair wage increase and pension to all unionized employees” says Goode