Members of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees are calling for increased wages and more respect in the midst of a labour dispute.

Union members and supporters rallied Friday in front of the Canadian Coast Guard Marine Rescue Centre on Southside Road in St. John’s.

Demonstrators called for wages to be raised to the industry standard, holding signs saying “We Save Lives”, “We Deserve Better” and “I support my bargaining team”.

Union representative Chris Bussey says they have done valuable work throughout the entire pandemic, and they’re still being paid less than their private industry counterparts.

Negotiations in the labour dispute are ongoing, but Bussey says they “aren’t going well”.

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is not involved in the negotiations, which fall under Treasury Board, but his office says he is monitoring the situation closely.