The president of the union representing three fired B.C. Ferries workers at the centre of the Queen of the North sinking is vowing to defend her members.

Jackie Miller, head of the 4,000-member B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers' Union, has told the Canadian Press a letter has been sent to the corporation advising them of the intent to grieve the dismissals.

The two men and one woman were informed by letter in mid-April, several weeks after the release of the ferry corporation's own report into the wreck of the former flagship of the fleet, which claimed two lives in March 2006.

B.C. Ferries' internal investigation concluded that human factors were the primary cause of the sinking of the Queen of the North, which failed to make a crucial course change and steamed into an island in poor weather about four hours after leaving Prince Rupert with 101 people on board.

The internal probe also found the crew failed to maintain a "proper lookout."

Miller would not comment further on the union's plans, saying she is reluctant to compromise the grievance process.

A draft copy of the federal Transportation Safety Board investigation into the wreck has been distributed to interested parties.

It will likely be several months before the findings of the $600,000 investigation are released.

Ninety-nine crew and passengers escaped from the Queen of the North, but two B.C. residents were never located and are presumed to have drowned in the sinking.