News releases

New tax needed or we face gridlock nightmare

January 29, 2015
There has been a lot of attention paid to the upcoming plebiscite on transportation and transit funding and for good reason. Our current network of roads, buses and trains is simply not able to support our growing region. We’ve all sat in gridlock, been passed over by packed buses and had to... more

Fight for $15 campaign petition drive

January 14, 2015
VANCOUVER – A petition drive for the Fight for $15 Campaign will take place at a variety of locations in Vancouver, Burnaby and Victoria January 15. The B.C. Federation of Labour launched the Fight for $15 Campaign to increase the minimum wage in BC to $15 an hour. The Campaign sponsors events on... more

Successful transit referendum essential to cut congestion and benefit economy, environment and workers

December 18, 2014
Vancouver BC - The BC Federation of Labour will encourage its members and the public to vote yes in the upcoming spring transit referendum.

Statement on National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

December 6, 2014
The following is a statement from Irene Lanzinger, President of the B.C. Federation of Labour: “Today marks 25 years since the tragedy at L’Ecole Polytechnique, where 14 women were shot and killed for simply being women striving towards an education in the trades. We still have a lot of work to do... more

BC Federation of Labour elects new President and Secretary-Treasurer

November 27, 2014
VANCOUVER – Following a vote of more than 2,200 delegates at the BC Federation of Labour convention, Irene Lanzinger has been elected President. Irene is the first woman to ever hold that position. Irene Lanzinger received 1,137 votes, and Amber Hockin received 1,080 votes. Irene... more

We must raise the minimum wage

November 26, 2014 | Minimum Wage
How many British Columbians have been told that getting a job is their path out of poverty? Unfortunately, the sad truth is that thousands of full-time workers toiling at $10.25 per hour (the current minimum wage in BC) find themselves thousands of dollars short of the reaching the poverty line... more

BCFED launches Fight For $15 campaign to increase the minimum wage

November 26, 2014 | Minimum Wage
VANCOUVER – The BC Federation of Labour has launched the Fight For $15 campaign, calling on the provincial government to increase the minimum wage to $15/hour. “At the current minimum wage, working full-time is not enough to lift a worker out of poverty,” said Jim Sinclair,... more

BC Federation of Labour Convention begins next week

November 21, 2014
Vancouver - The 56th Convention of the BC Federation of Labour is next week beginning Monday, November 24, to Friday, November 28. More than 2,000 delegates from across BC will gather at the Vancouver Convention Centre East to shape the direction of the provincial labour... more

Jim Sinclair announces he will not seek re-election as BCFED President

October 9, 2014
October 9, 2014 Dear Sisters and Brothers: For the past 35 years I have been a part of the most wonderful movement in the world – the labour movement. For the last 15 of those years, I have had the honour and privilege to be the President of the B.C. Federation of Labour, a position that allowed me... more

Teachers’ fight for public education results in tentative deal

September 16, 2014
VANCOUVER – The B.C. Federation of Labour welcomes the news that after sustained job action, BC teachers have reached a tentative deal that addresses the key issues of wages and improved learning conditions for students.