Young Workers

Young Workers' Committee

The Young Workers’ Committee (YWC) is a standing committee of the BCFED dedicated to encouraging union participation among young people and to address inequity that young workers face as a result of discriminatory beliefs, policies, and legislation.

The Young Workers’ Committee, through the creation of the Employee Action and Rights Network (EARN) fights on behalf of all working people in BC for better employment standards and safer working conditions. The YWC educates students in high schools about Employments Standards and workers rights, as well as the role unions play in improving our society.

Young workers’ committee meetings are open to any union member 30 years old and younger, and always take place on the first Wednesday of each month at the BC Federation of Labour office.

Meetings are an opportunity to raise concerns and discuss social issues, with an emphasis on an “ear-to-the-ground” approach. This involves listening to young workers as they voice concerns from the ground up. At the same time, research projects, education sessions, advocacy approaches, and direct and indirect action are planned to mobilize and organize around the various issues that affect young workers in BC.

Co-chairs: Kimberly Cole, BCFMWU and Rick Kumar, BCTF, Executive Council Member

Young workers to hold annual sit-in calling for restoration of Grant’s Law protections for overnight workers

June 4, 2022
Young workers will hold an overnight sit-in at a 24-hour convenience store in East Vancouver, pressing the provincial government to restore a law protecting convenience store and gas station employees who work alone at night.Event details:

Fine a slap on the wrist for employer whose negligence caused death of young worker

November 1, 2016
Vancouver - A recent court ruling in a case of criminal negligence in the tragic workplace death of a young Mission-area worker is a slap on the wrist for the employer whose failure to provide basic safety training caused the tragedy. Kelsey Ann Kristian died after working just two... more