The BC Federation of Labour represents over 500,000 members from affiliated unions across the province, working in every aspect of the B.C. economy. We have a long and proud history of fighting for the rights of all working people to a safe workplace and fair wages.
WHAT'S NEW WITH BC LABOUR
August 22, 2026 |
Releases
Tariff response must focus on supporting workers and communities, not just corporate balance sheets: BCFED
BCFED President Sussanne Skidmore today released the following statement: As we all grapple with the news that our economy is once again the target of Donald Trump's brutal, unjustified tariff assault, there's one question that should guide our tariff response: What does this mean for working people here in BC? Because the impacts are going to land on working people, and they'll land hard. They'll
August 20, 2026 |
Briefs
Submission to the WCB on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health & Safety Regulation, Part 5, Occupational Exposure Limits, Benzene
The BCFED appreciates the opportunity to provide our recommendations regarding the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Part 5, Occupational Exposure Limits, Benzene. A component of crude oil, benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon widely used as a raw material in the production of many different products. It is also a component of wood, gasoline and tobacco smoke. Workers and the general public are exposed to benzene in a large number of workplaces as well as environmentally through motor vehicle emissions, wildfire and cigarette smoke, and gas stations also produce benzene.
The BC Federation of Labour is located on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) territories.
Learn more about what we are doing to work towards reconciliation.
195 BC WORKERS
DIED IN 2024
FROM INJURIES &
ILLNESSES CAUSED
BY THEIR WORK
Every worker deserves to come home at the end of the day as safe and healthy as when they left.
But too many workers trying to earn a living pay for it with their lives.
We need stronger inspections, enforcement and legal protections — and accountability for employers that put workers in danger.
BUILD GREAT TRANSIT. GET GREAT JOBS.
9,000+ CONSTRUCTION JOBS PER YEAR — 12,000+ PERMANENT JOBS FOR OPERATORS AND OTHER WORKERS
Imagine: Public transit that gets you where you need to go — quickly, easily, reliably... and affordably. No matter where in BC you live.
The Connecting BC plan can make that vision a reality... within the next decade.
We can fill the gaps left by years of neglect and privatization under past BC Liberal governments, and build on the important transit investments our current provincial government has made. And we can unite local and regional transit into an integrated, sustainable, zero-carbon whole.
17.85 PER HOUR
BC'S MINIMUM WAGE IS THE HIGHEST OF ANY PROVINCE IN CANADA
After John Rustad's government froze the minimum wage for more than a decade, the BCFED won a hard-fought campaign to give BC's lowest-paid workers a raise.
Now, under the BC NDP, BC's minimum wage is the highest of any province. And it's tied to inflation, to keep low-income workers from falling behind.
But we still have a lot of work to do to close the gap between the minimum wage and the living wage, the amount a family needs to cover basic expenses.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Injured Workers' Day 2026
June 1 is Injured Workers’ Day in Canada. It’s a day to bring attention to the struggle and injustice that injured workers and their families face, and to call for change. This day started on June 1, 1983 when over 3,000 marchers converged on the steps of the Ontario Legislature, and successfully demanded a voice for injured workers in committee
Partner organizations
BCFED Health & Safety Centre
Skills and training to keep workplaces safe: The BCFED Health & Safety Centre provides health and safety education and resources to prevent workplace injury and illness.
BC Centre for Women in the Trades
Creating opportunities in the trades: The BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT) works to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive skilled trades industry, where all feel welcome, healthy, respected and safe.