A high volume of travellers will sail to and from Vancouver Island for Thanksgiving and the union representing B.C. Ferries workers is asking for some patience and understanding.

In a press release, the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers' Union said that a survey done prior to the upcoming long weekend revealed a majority of crew members are "facing disturbing levels of abuse from passengers."

Over 80 per cent of those surveyed said they'd faced threats of violence while on shift, the press release noted, and 92 per cent said they had been witness to those sort of threats. Close to 65 per cent of respondents said the incidents affected their mental health and nearly 50 per cent said violent or aggressive behaviour from customers has had them considering quitting their job.

Most workers are a

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