Vancouver—Irene Lanzinger, the labour leader who helped spearhead the fight for a $15 minimum wage in BC, says she will not seek re-election for another two-year term as President of the BC Federation of Labour at the Federation’s 58th Convention at the end of November.
Lanzinger, 63, the first woman President in the organization’s history, says the time is right to step down to make a transition in leadership.
“The labour movement is strong, vibrant and united, with a focused agenda to campaign for balanced labour laws, safer workplaces, and improved employment standards and skills training,” she says.
“At the same time, we have a provincial government that listens and cares about working people creating opportunities to level the playing field for working people.
“So, it’s a good time to pass on the reins to new leadership.”
A former President of the BC Teachers’ Federation, Lanzinger was first elected as the Federation’s Secretary-Treasurer in 2010, and in 2014 was elected President.