News releases

New training authority appointments bring workers’ insights and expertise to solve BC’s skills, training and apprenticeship challenges

May 2, 2018
Vancouver-The BC Federation of Labour is responding positively to today’s announcement that Victoria has substantially increased the role of working people in the BC government agency that coordinates and delivers training and apprenticeship programs for skilled trades in the... more

National Day of Mourning: We must recommit ourselves to safe, healthy, violence-free, workplaces

April 24, 2018
Vancouver – The following is a statement from Irene Lanzinger, president of the BC Federation of Labour, marking the National Day of Mourning: “Every year we mark April 28 - the National Day of Mourning - to draw attention to the significant number of people who have died, been... more

Good-bye to the discriminatory server wage - BCFED applauds commitment to end lower wages for liquor servers

April 19, 2018
Vancouver – The BC Federation of Labour is pleased with the announcement that the BC government will phase out the discriminatory server wage, ensuring by June 2021 servers will no longer be exempt from minimum wage laws. “I am relieved that we can say good-bye to the server wage... more

Overnight protest Saturday at Eastside Vancouver Mac’s Convenience Store to push for better safety protections for gas, convenience store workers

April 13, 2018
Vancouver – The BC Federation of Labour Young Workers’ Committee will stage an overnight protest April 14 to highlight weak safety laws left by the BC Liberals that fail to protect convenience store and gas station staff working alone at night. They will sit in starting at 8:00 pm... more

Government’s mental trauma initiative for first responders a compassionate, important step forward says labour federation

April 11, 2018
Vancouver - The BC Federation of Labour is applauding new legislation introduced today by NDP Labour Minister Harry Bains, Bill 9, that will help first responders with mental disorders caused by traumatic working conditions receive the treatment and compensation they deserve. “... more

200 more workers join unions for the Union Advantage

April 11, 2018
Vancouver - BCFED President Irene Lanzinger and Secretary-Treasurer Aaron Ekman are extending a warm welcome to almost 200 health care workers who’ve recently joined unions to make their workplaces better. Some 75 staff at Rest Haven Lodge/Broadmead Care Society, a complex care... more

NDP government ban on extra billing will protect patients, force private clinics to follow the law

April 5, 2018
Vancouver - The BC Federation of Labour welcomes strong provincial government action to protect patients from user fees charged by private clinics by putting into force parts of a law first adopted by the BC Liberals more than 15 years ago. “Loopholes and long surgical waitlists... more

BCFED calls for labour law reforms to remove barriers for workers to join unions

March 21, 2018 | Right to Join a Union
Vancouver - The BC Federation of Labour met today in Victoria with a special government panel to outline a dozen recommendations for much needed reforms of BC’s labour laws to make it easier for workers to join unions. “For 16 years, the BC Liberals tilted labour laws in favour of... more

Statement from President Irene Lanzinger on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

March 21, 2018
The following is a statement from BC Federation of Labour President Irene Lanzinger on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination On March 21 every year, the world turns its attention to the issue of racial discrimination in our communities. According to Statistics... more

BCFED calls for labour law reforms to remove barriers for workers to join unions

March 21, 2018 | Right to Join a Union
Vancouver - The BC Federation of Labour met today in Victoria with a special government panel to outline a dozen recommendations for much needed reforms of BC’s labour laws to make it easier for workers to join unions. “For 16 years, the BC Liberals tilted labour laws in favour of... more