News releases
Protection for workers must be key pillar of COVID-19 response
March 9, 2020 | Health, Safety, and Compensation
(Coast Salish territory; Vancouver, BC) The BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) is calling on provincial and federal governments to act now to ensure workers can adhere to public health advice around the coronavirus, without lost pay or the fear of losing their jobs. While BC’s... more Vigil to commemorate farmworkers puts spotlight on worker safety in agricultural sector
March 5, 2020
On March 7th, families, community organizations, unions, and political representatives will gather to commemorate the tragic van crash that killed three farmworkers in 2007. Thirteen years ago, three women—Armajit Kaur Bal, 52, Sukhvinder Kaur Punia, 46, and Sarbjit Kaur Sidhu, 31—tragically lost... more Labour movement celebrates announcement of paid leave for workers dealing with domestic and sexual violence
March 2, 2020
(Coast Salish territory / Vancouver, BC) - The BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) is lauding the BC government’s announcement of five days of paid leave for workers fleeing domestic and sexual violence. Under current laws, workers fleeing violence face lost wages, making it harder... more Budget 2020 invests heavily in public services and infrastructure, introduces new tax on the 1%
February 18, 2020
Lekungwen Territory; Victoria, BC - Budget 2020 introduces a new tax on the wealthiest and uses BC’s strong economic position to expand public services and social programs that benefit working people. With a record $22.9 billion in infrastructure spending, the budget continues a... more BC Federation of Labour Statement on the Situation in Wet’suwet’en Territory
February 7, 2020
On January 14th, 2020 the BC Federation of Labour called on the RCMP to step back and allow for government to government dialogue to address the concerns raised by Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, in an effort to find mutual solutions to the complex issues constituting this dispute.
Since that time... more As Uber and Lyft arrive in BC, rights of ride-hailing drivers must be protected
January 23, 2020
(Vancouver, BC) The BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) responded today to the issuing of licenses to Uber and Lyft by the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB), emphasizing that ride-hailing companies must comply with BC’s labour laws and ensure drivers have minimum labour protections... more BC Federation of Labour stands in solidarity with Regina Co-op Refinery workers
January 22, 2020
The BC Federation of Labour stands in solidarity with the workers that have been locked-out by the Co-op Refinery Complex in Regina.
Over 700 workers are fighting to protect their pensions against a highly profitable employer that is bringing in replacement workers. These workers and their... more Labour organizations call on BC government to license asbestos removal firms after dangerous exposure puts workers, public at risk
November 20, 2019 | Health, Safety, and Compensation
VANCOUVER – The BC Insulators Union, Vancouver-New Westminster Building Trades Council and BC Federation of Labour are calling on the BC government to immediately license asbestos removal firms. The call comes after the BC Supreme Court sentenced a flagrant violator of safety laws... more To tackle economic insecurity, workers need a Jagmeet Singh NDP government
November 7, 2019
This week, Federal NDP Leader, Jagmeet Singh, joined striking hotel workers on a Vancouver picket line. He marched and chanted with hundreds of workers who had been out of work for over three weeks and voiced his support for their fight for safe working conditions, stable employment, and fair wages... more BC workers welcome introduction of Indigenous rights legislation
October 24, 2019
Vancouver-The BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) and its affiliated unions stand proudly with Indigenous people and communities in support of historic Indigenous rights legislation introduced today by the BC NDP government. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was... more