SEATTLE — Gov. Bob Ferguson has pledged to work with the union representing Washington State Ferries engine-room crews to address pay gaps, the union said Friday, after crew call-outs disrupted ferry service this week. The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association represents 417 licensed and unlicensed engineers who operate, repair and maintain the state ferry fleet. Eric Winge, the union’s representative for Washington State Ferries, said Ferguson sent a letter thanking crew members for their professionalism and commitment to safety and promising to work with the union on compensation concerns. Winge said engine crews are paid less than workers in deck positions, contributing to a workforce crisis that could undermine reliable service for ferry-dependent communities. He said addressing staffing and compensation will be increasingly important as the system moves toward hybrid-electric vessels, which require crews to operate and maintain new technology. Nick Twietmeyer, an oiler aboard the MV Spokane, said engine crews want to provide safe, dependable service but need competitive pay and more relief staff. He said engineers work 84 hours in a seven-day week, and many accumulate an additional 500 to 1,500 hours of overtime a year. Twietmeyer said engine crew wages are 20% below those of deck workers and that he takes a second job during his off weeks to cover expenses. He warned that relying on overtime without enough relief crew leaves the system vulnerable when employees are sick or take time off. The recent disruptions have highlighted how crew availability affects travel for residents and businesses across the region. Twietmeyer said he hopes the state will address the problems, calling a stronger system a benefit both to workers and to the communities that depend on ferries. The union did not provide details of the steps Ferguson plans to take or a timeline for addressing the wage gap.