BCFED issues hot edict in USW strike at Highland Valley Copper operation

(Burnaby) The BC Federation of Labour today declared a hot edict on mineral products and by-products from the Highland Valley Copper Operation near Logan Lake. (See declaration below for details.) The edict is aimed at directing economic pressure on Teck Highland Valley Copper Partnership to reach a fair deal with the more than 1,200 members of United Steelworkers Local 7619 who have been striking

Meeting late this afternoon, the BC Federation of Labour’s executive officers voted unanimously to declare a boycott of Nico Wynd Golf Course in Surrey, BC, supporting SEIU Local 2 workers now into the second month of their strike. “It was bad enough with management stonewalling these workers in negotiations,” said BCFED President Sussanne Skidmore. “But Sunday’s horrifying incident makes things

The BC Federation of Labour today issued a hot edict on specific products at the Trigon terminal in Prince Rupert (see note below). The declaration comes in support of ILWU Local 523 longshore workers there, who’ve been striking for better pay and benefits for more than a month. Trigon was recently cited by the Canada Industrial Relations Board for using contractors as replacement workers. That

BC’s provincial election results reflect the challenges British Columbians are facing — but they aren’t a license to roll back the progress BC’s labour movement has made, BCFED President Sussanne Skidmore said tonight. “This wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for, but it underlines just how difficult life is for working people in BC. And tonight many of them expressed their frustration at the

The BCFED appreciates the opportunity to provide our submission with respect to the WCB’s proposed Policy Workplans for 2027-29. This submission was drafted in consultation with our affiliated unions and advocacy community. Download the full submission (PDF)

The tariff response and worker relief measures announced today by the federal government represents a solid start, but workers will need much more comprehensive support and relief, BC Federation of Labour President Sussanne Skidmore said today. “The EI provisions Prime Minister Carney announced today mostly just extend temporary measures already in place. The benefits are often inadequate, and far

BCFED President Sussanne Skidmore today released the following statement: As we all grapple with the news that our economy is once again the target of Donald Trump's brutal, unjustified tariff assault, there's one question that should guide our tariff response: What does this mean for working people here in BC? Because the impacts are going to land on working people, and they'll land hard. They'll

The BCFED appreciates the opportunity to provide our recommendations regarding the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Part 5, Occupational Exposure Limits, Benzene. A component of crude oil, benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon widely used as a raw material in the production of many different products. It is also a component of wood, gasoline and tobacco smoke. Workers and the general public are exposed to benzene in a large number of workplaces as well as environmentally through motor vehicle emissions, wildfire and cigarette smoke, and gas stations also produce benzene.

The BC Federation of Labour (“BCFED” “Federation”) appreciates the opportunity to provide our recommendations with respect to the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (“OHSR” “Regulation”) Part 20 related to shotcrete. Shotcreting requires significant skill and experience and is extremely hazardous work. There is a pressing need for better planning, supervision, training and accountability for worker safety. It is critical to implement additional regulatory requirements to prevent serious injuries, illness and fatalities going forward.

Working people in British Columbia have lost one of our greatest champions. Stephanie Smith served as president of the BCGEU and an Executive Officer of the BCFED from 2014 to 2024.