News releases
BCFED Statement on National Injured Workers’ Day
June 1, 2020
Every June 1, we stand with injured workers across Canada on National Injured Workers’ Day. And this year, that solidarity is especially important.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put countless workers in danger of contracting a life-threatening disease – and too many of them don’t have the protections... more Minimum wage increase exactly what low-income earners need right now: BCFED
June 1, 2020
(Coast Salish territory, Vancouver BC) - After months of hardship and uncertainty in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a minimum wage increase is just what British Columbia’s lowest-paid workers need, BC Federation of Labour president Laird Cronk said today.
“This is great news... more Statement by the BCFED on recent police violence against Black community members
May 29, 2020
The BC Federation of Labour is angered and outraged by the recent violent attacks against Black community members locally, nationally and internationally. Police brutality and police murders of Black community members are a reality in our communities, one the BCFED recognizes the labour movement... more BC has an historic opportunity to build an economy that works for everyone: BCFED
May 20, 2020
(Coast Salish Territory, Vancouver BC) As BC’s economy slowly reopens, the province’s labour movement is encouraging British Columbians to think beyond just rebuilding the economy we had before the COVID-19... more Solidarity with LGBTQI2S people is more important than ever
May 15, 2020
On May 17, we honour the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
Since 2004, IDAHOBIT has served to raise awareness of the discrimination and violence experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and two-spirit (... more In memory of Ralph McGinn, a champion for workplace safety
May 13, 2020
We're shocked and saddened to learn of WCB Chair Ralph McGinn’s passing on Monday.
For many years, he has been at the forefront of keeping BC workers safe on the job: from his work in the 90s as WCB’s VP of Prevention, to leading the agency as President and CEO, and most recently as the board chair... more BCFED welcomes WCB decision on presumption, calls for faster implementation and more complete coverage
May 11, 2020
(Coast Salish Territory, Vancouver BC) – BC’s labour movement is pleased with the recent Workers Compensation Board (WCB) announcement that COVID-19 will be added to Schedule 1 of the Workers Compensation Act, BCFED president Laird Cronk said today.
“It’s an important... more Ensuring WCB coverage for essential workers is critical: BCFED
April 29, 2020 | Health, Safety, and Compensation
(Coast Salish Territory, Vancouver BC) — “You don’t leave your wounded soldiers on the battlefield,” BCFED president Laird Cronk said today, adding “Essential workers who become symptomatic with COVID-19 deserve WCB coverage.”
The provincial government has designated a broad range... more Laird Cronk: From banging pots and pans: Let’s build a future that delivers more for all working people
April 24, 2020
Tonight at 7 p.m., in communities all over our province, British Columbians will step out of their homes. For just a few minutes, we’ll bang pots and pans, sing and cheer in a show of support and respect for workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the pandemic, the fight against racism and discrimination must be front and centre
March 25, 2020
Sussanne Skidmore, Secretary Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) issued the following statement:
“The current health crisis has revealed how undervalued certain critical work has been in our society. I want to start off by thanking the workers on the farms throughout BC for... more