News releases
Skilled Trades Certification program will ensure fully trained, highly skilled, and resilient workers, ready for the new economy
June 11, 2021
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) The BC government has announced a Skilled Trades Certification program that will provide access to apprenticeships and formal recognition of the skills and knowledge for workers within ten initial... more Statement on City of Vancouver’s drug decriminalization proposal
June 8, 2021 | Health, Safety, and Compensation
The BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) is committed to ensuring a safe supply of drugs and to working with all levels of government to decriminalize personal possession of drugs. This commitment was renewed with the adoption of resolution 181 at our 2020 convention. We have been alarmed with... more Injured workers left waiting, eighteen months after government report calling for change
June 1, 2021
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC)  The BC Federation of Labour released a report today highlighting glaring government inaction to fix BC’s broken compensation system for workers injured at work. Released on National Injured... more Statement from the BCFED on the confirmation of mass grave of children at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School
May 28, 2021
We are heartbroken and horrified at the confirmation of a mass grave of 215 children at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Territory.We wish to share our deepest condolences with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, and all the families impacted by the... more Minimum wage increase a major victory for working people in BC
May 26, 2021
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) BC’s minimum wage will be raised to $15.20 per hour on June 1, making it the highest wage of any province. The increase will boost the income of nearly 250,000 workers according to the Government... more Labour movement issues boycott, pulls millions of dollars in business from Hilton Metrotown and Pacific Gateway Hotels in support of workers
May 13, 2021 | Employment Standards
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) The BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) is calling on the public to boycott the Hilton Metrotown and Pacific Gateway Hotel as UNITE HERE Local 40 workers battle draconian layoffs and wage and benefit... more BC commits to permanent, paid sick leave, provides limited COVID-19-related coverage
May 11, 2021 | Health, Safety, and Compensation
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) – BC announced changes to the Employment Standards Act today that will bring permanent, paid sick leave to workers in BC. The province promised further consultation with stakeholders on the details... more Health care voices call for permanent paid sick leave program in BC
May 6, 2021
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) - Prominent voices in BC’s health sector are calling on the BC government to deliver a permanent paid sick leave program with coverage of at least ten days of worker wages. The appeal to... more Day of Mourning remembers fallen workers on April 28
April 28, 2021
On National Day of Mourning, workers, families, employers and others come together to commemorate workers who have lost their lives due to a workplace injury or disease. The day marks an opportunity to renew our collective commitment to protecting the health, safety and well-being of all workers.
Paid vaccine leave now a guaranteed right of every worker in BC
April 28, 2021
(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) The BC Federation of Labour is celebrating changes to BC’s Employment Standard’s Act which guarantees three hours of paid leave for workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The government legislation received... more