Washington State Ferries’ engine room crew, represented by their union, the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, and state negotiators reached an impasse in bargaining over terms and conditions of their contract last week and began arbitration Aug. 23. 

Arbitration is expected to be complete by this Friday, Aug. 30. The arbitrator has until Sept. 30 to issue a decision on contract terms and conditions.

According to union officials, ferry engine room crews were offered a pay scale that is 30% lower than that offered to deck crew members. Union officials with the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.) brought the offer to ferry engine room crew members, who refused the deal, which lead to arbitration.

Ferry engine room workers have complained of pay inequities, excessive overtime, significant staffing shortfalls, and burnout.

Union contract negotiations come as the state is currently bargaining with about 30 state worker unions. Negotiations began in the spring for contracts covering July 2025 through June 2027 and tentative agreements must be submitted to the Office of Financial Management director for approval by Oct. 1.

Union officials say staff shortages, low pay, and poor management are hobbling the engine room workforce, resulting in cancelled sailings and repair and maintenance backlogs.

“We need 21 boats, but we can’t even meet crew requirements for the 15 boats in service right now,” said Eric Winge, Washington State Ferries representative for M.E.B.A. “Ferry cancellations are wreaking havoc on ferry-dependent communities and businesses across the Puget Sound. By refusing to address low pay, the state is assuring our ferry system will slip deeper into failure. Half of our WSF engine room crew is up for retirement in 2027.”

Washington State Ferries is the largest passenger ferry system in the U.S. and a vital link in the Washington state transportation system.

According to information from WSF, 3,518 sailings were canceled in 2023. Just over 1,600 of the sailings, about 46%, were canceled due to crew shortages. For the first quarter of 2024, WSF data shows 1,069 cancellations with 61% due to crew shortages. In quarter two, there were 1,637 cancellations, with 24% due to crew shortages.

For the week of Aug. 12 to 18, ferry officials report completing 98.9% of the 2,829 scheduled sailings. Of that number, ferry officials cancelled 35 sailings: 28 for schedule resets (when a boat is so far behind schedule, the sailing is cancelled to get the boat back on schedule); two sailings due to crew issues; two for fog; two because of other reasons and one for an emergency.