News releases

Statement on Orange Shirt Day 2020

September 30, 2020
September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, a day for us to remember and discuss the legacy of the residential school system in Canada, and honour the Indigenous survivors and non-survivors of that system.It’s named for a story shared by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, who had her brand new orange shirt — bought by... more

This election is a choice between leaving people behind and building a future for all, says BCFED

September 22, 2020
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) Yesterday’s election call gives British Columbians the chance to choose the future they want for their province, BC Federation of Labour President Laird Cronk said today."We have a choice in BC: go back to the... more

BC government recovery plan recognizes “people are the economy”: BCFED

September 18, 2020
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) ­— ­The recovery plan announced yesterday by Premier John Horgan and Finance Minister Carole James looks promising, with significant investments in the province’s workers, BC Federation of... more

BC Wants a Fair Recovery, not Cuts to Business Taxes and Regulations: BCFED Poll

September 16, 2020
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) As BC's economy reopens, British Columbians overwhelmingly opt for building a better, fairer province over re-creating the economy we had before, a new poll has found.In a recent poll conducted by polling firm... more

Three in five BC workers’ jobs face "medium to high likelihood" of automation impact: new BCFED report

September 4, 2020
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people think about the future of work, they think about the trend toward working from home.

On a physically-distanced Labour Day, let’s celebrate working people — and work together for a fairer BC

September 4, 2020
by Laird Cronk, Presidentand Sussanne Skidmore, Secretary-TreasurerBC Federation of LabourThis Labour Day is a lot different from past years. You won’t see the big parades, rallies and parties we usually have. Instead it’s small, carefully-distanced backyard get-togethers and on-screen virtual... more

Patterson Report could put workers’ compensation on the road to a long-overdue rebalancing: BCFED

August 26, 2020
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) Today’s release of Janet Patterson’s report on workers’ compensation in BC is a watershed moment for sick and injured workers, BCFED president Laird Cronk said today.

BCFED welcomes federal announcement of new pandemic supports — but it’s not paid sick leave

August 20, 2020
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC)The federal government’s announcement of new pandemic-related benefits and changes to employment insurance are needed and welcome, but are no substitute for permanent paid sick leave that all workers need,... more

BCFED congratulates new WCB Board Chair Jeff Parr

(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam Territories — Vancouver, BC) The BC Federation of Labour offered its congratulations today to newly-appointed Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) Chair Jeff Parr. “We’d like to welcome Jeff Parr to this important position at a crucial... more

Changes to Workers’ Compensation Act a welcome first step: BCFED

(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam Territories — Vancouver, BC) Changes enacted into law today are a big first step in creating a worker-centered approach to health and safety and ensuring support for injured workers, BCFED President Laird Cronk said... more