News releases
Government taking positive steps to modernize taxi industry
July 19, 2018
The BC government announced this morning a first step series of measures that will modernize the taxi industry and lay the ground work to introduce ridesharing services at a later date.
“Generally, these are positive moves,” says BC Federation of Labour President Irene Lanzinger, “and a good first... more Canada’s Labour Leaders Urge Premiers to Collaborate on a National Universal Pharmacare Plan
July 19, 2018
National, Provincial and Territorial Labour Leaders encourage Canada’s Premiers to unite behind a universal, single-payer, public prescription drug coverage program. In addition to giving every Canadian access to life-saving prescriptions, a universal Pharmacare plan will free up money for... more Statement from BC Federation of Labour president Irene Lanzinger on National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 21, 2018
Vancouver - June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day that is meant to acknowledge and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. LRB rules against unscrupulous employer, rat union
June 21, 2018
Vancouver - The BC Labour Relations Board has issued an important decision that is a setback for employers who conspire with rat unions to prevent workers from joining a union of their choice.
The case—decided by Labour Relations Board Vice-chair Bruce Wilkins—centers around the... more BCFED President to visit the Cariboo on Monday in support of striking Mount Polley miners
June 15, 2018
Irene Lanzinger, President of the 500,000-member BC Federation of Labour, will be visiting the picket lines at the Mount Polley Mine site to support striking Imperial Metals miners.
The workers, who are members of the United Steelworkers Local 1-2017, have been on strike for more than three weeks... more Meagre WCB fine for tragic workplace death involving meat slicer criticized by labour group
June 14, 2018 | Health, Safety, and Compensation
Vancouver - Last year, a New Westminster pub worker met a tragic death when he fell on a meat slicer in the pub’s kitchen and bled out.
Now, the Workers Compensation Board has found the pub owner responsible for a series of “high risk” safety violations that caused the workplace... more Employers can’t subcontract away their health and safety responsibilities, top court rules
June 12, 2018
Vancouver - A recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling lays down the law on employer responsibility to keep workplaces safe—and be subject to penalties when safety violations kill or injure workers on the job, says the BC Federation of Labour.
The court was ruling on an appeal from BC... more BCFED’s Lanzinger available to speak to media about first major increase June 1 on path to $15 minimum wage
May 31, 2018
Vancouver-BC Federation of Labour President Irene Lanzinger will be available to speak with media about the $1.35 per hour increase in BC’s minimum wage that goes into effect June 1. It's the first leap in four significant increases implemented by Premier John Horgan’s government... more Traffic gridlock: Heavy lifting to find congestion solutions just starting, says BCFED
May 24, 2018
Responding to today’s release of a report outlining solutions to reduce traffic gridlock in Metro Vancouver, BCFED President Irene Lanzinger says she supports efforts for continued action by local governments to solve transportation congestion problems across the region.
“The completion of the work... more BCFED young worker delegation to lobby politicians in Victoria to level the playing field on key issues
May 16, 2018
Young workers representing the labour movement will be meeting with politicians today at the Legislature to make the case for change in key areas like strengthening employment standards laws, restoring balance and fairness in the labour code, and improving health and safety protections for gas and... more