News releases
Harper Government Recommits to Temporary Foreign Workers as a Pool of Cheap Labour, Undercuts Canadian Wages
March 22, 2013
Vancouver, BC—Yesterday’s federal budget promised new language restrictions for employers, but did little to stop employers from using Temporary Foreign Workers as a cheap pool of labour with fewer rights than Canadians, said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair. Promised review of Temporary Worker Program fails to deliver
March 19, 2013
BC labour leaders are criticizing the federal government’s review of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program as incomplete and inadequate
Families Unveil Model of Farm Workers’ Monument at Annual Vigil
March 10, 2013 | Health, Safety, and Compensation
Abbotsford, BC – Six years after the van accident that took the lives of three farm workers in the Fraser Valley, more needs to be done to make farming safe in our province, B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair said today at an Abbotsford vigil honouring the women.
The vigil, jointly... more BC Families Demand Affordable Public Childcare in Stroller Rally
March 9, 2013
Vancouver, BC – A large, energetic group of BC families, their children and early childhood educators gathered at Jericho Park in Vancouver this morning in support of affordable public childcare in BC.
The event, organized by labour and community organizations, included a short and spirited rally... more Golden Tree Model to be Unveiled at Anniversary Vigil in Fraser Valley
March 8, 2013
Abbotsford BC – A candlelight vigil in memory of three women farm workers killed in the crash of an overloaded and unsafe van near Abbotsford in 2007 will be held this Sunday, March 10, in Abbotsford.
Date:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Sunday, March 10, 2013
Time:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1:30 pm-3:00 pm
Location:Â Â Â Â Abbotsford... more Kitsilano Coast Guard Station Closed
February 19, 2013
VANCOUVER – The Canadian Coast Guard is closing the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station immediately – effective today, the union representing the Station crew has just been informed. Deputy Coast Guard Commissioner Jody Thomas informed the national office of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees... more BC Unions Take Aim at Temporary Foreign Worker Program with Hard Hitting Radio Ad
February 18, 2013
Vancouver, BC – A group of BC unions are airing a hard-hitting radio ad, aimed squarely at Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker program.
“For years, we have said the Temporary Foreign Worker program is a bad program for Canada and a bad program for the workers who come to Canada,” said B.C. Federation... more Nothing Real in Throne Speech for Families Struggling to Make Ends Meet
February 12, 2013
Vancouver, BC – The B.C. Federation of Labour is calling today’s throne speech a disappointment for BC families struggling to make ends meet under the Christy Clark government.
“Working and middle class families are feeling the pinch of stagnant wages and higher fees for medical services, tuition... more Minister Pat Bell Changes Tune on Temporary Foreign Workers in Coal Mines – Sinclair Calls for Federal Minister to Make Review Public
February 7, 2013
Minister Pat Bell Changes Tune on Temporary Foreign Workers in Coal Mines – Sinclair Calls for Federal Minister to Make Review Public
Vancouver, BC – Minister Pat Bell’s reversal on granting of Temporary Foreign Worker permits for HD Mining raises more questions than it answers,... more Forestry Workers Address Crisis in BC Forests
February 7, 2013
BC’s unionized forest workers are inviting forest communities to join them in a series of town hall meetings around the province to address the crisis in BC forest.
Whether it’s the devastation caused by the mountain pine beetle or raw log exports, forest communities have been hit hard... more