News and media

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 step to improve existing services for passengers as the government moves to fulfill its promise to

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 much needed investment in health care. Saint Andrews, NB - During the Council of the Federation meeting in

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 efforts of SEIU Local 2 and their “Justice for Janitors” organizing campaign. The union is campaigning to improve wages

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. Rights and benefits for temporary employees are the key issues for the miners.

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 death of Sanjeev Kainth. But the WCB levied only a meagre fine of $9,450.32. “It’s another slap on the wrist for

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-based West Fraser Mills. The company—a subsidiary of West Fraser Timber—asked the SCC to overturn an WCB decision