News releases
Amidst the pandemic, the fight against racism and discrimination must be front and centre
March 25, 2020
Sussanne Skidmore, Secretary Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) issued the following statement:
“The current health crisis has revealed how undervalued certain critical work has been in our society. I want to start off by thanking the workers on the farms throughout BC for... more BC labour movement welcomes sick leave protections, advocates for robust social supports
March 24, 2020 | Health, Safety, and Compensation
(Coast Salish territory, Vancouver BC) - The provincial response to the COVID-19 crisis includes important supports and protections for workers advocated by the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED).
Yesterday, the BC government legislated unlimited protected leave for workers who are... more Resources for workers during COVID-19
March 20, 2020
It is an overwhelming time. To help workers focus on the public health situation, the BCFED will be updating this post with resources and links to understand your rights, and get the information and supports you need. Rent and mortgage relief, preventing evictions, needed to support workers through COVID-19 economic downturn
March 19, 2020
(Coast Salish territory; Vancouver, BC) - As rent and mortgage payments come due at the end of the month, the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) is calling on all levels of government to co-ordinate and prevent evictions and mortgage foreclosures to ensure no one is removed from their... more BCFED office closing, but advocacy for workers in time of health and economic crisis continues
March 17, 2020
Laird Cronk, President of the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED), issued the following statement for COVID-19
The BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) is moving towards the closure of our Vancouver-based office as soon as practicable to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but our advocacy on behalf of... more Unions issue urgent call for paid and protected sick leave for all workers in BC
March 16, 2020
(Coast Salish territory; Vancouver, BC): As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts and shuts down BC’s economy, the labour movement is calling on the provincial and federal governments to move urgently to guarantee paid, protected sick leave and other income supports for all workers.
The... more Protection for workers must be key pillar of COVID-19 response
March 9, 2020 | Health, Safety, and Compensation
(Coast Salish territory; Vancouver, BC) The BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) is calling on provincial and federal governments to act now to ensure workers can adhere to public health advice around the coronavirus, without lost pay or the fear of losing their jobs. While BC’s... more Vigil to commemorate farmworkers puts spotlight on worker safety in agricultural sector
March 5, 2020
On March 7th, families, community organizations, unions, and political representatives will gather to commemorate the tragic van crash that killed three farmworkers in 2007. Thirteen years ago, three women—Armajit Kaur Bal, 52, Sukhvinder Kaur Punia, 46, and Sarbjit Kaur Sidhu, 31—tragically lost... more Labour movement celebrates announcement of paid leave for workers dealing with domestic and sexual violence
March 2, 2020
(Coast Salish territory / Vancouver, BC) - The BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) is lauding the BC government’s announcement of five days of paid leave for workers fleeing domestic and sexual violence. Under current laws, workers fleeing violence face lost wages, making it harder... more Budget 2020 invests heavily in public services and infrastructure, introduces new tax on the 1%
February 18, 2020
Lekungwen Territory; Victoria, BC - Budget 2020 introduces a new tax on the wealthiest and uses BC’s strong economic position to expand public services and social programs that benefit working people. With a record $22.9 billion in infrastructure spending, the budget continues a... more