News and media

VANCOUVER – BC’s labour leaders met today to issue a statement of solidarity with BC’s teachers and announce plans for a solidarity rally Thursday, June 19th in Vancouver. “Christy Clark and the BC Liberals need to get the clear message from British Columbians that it is time for the government to respect the work of our teachers, and negotiate a settlement in good faith,” said Jim Sinclair

Vancouver, BC – The B.C. Federation of Labour marked Injured Workers’ Day with a renewed call for improvements to BC’s workers’ compensation system and a restoration of benefits for injured workers. The B.C. Federation of Labour and its affiliates recognize June 1 as Injured Workers’ Day in BC. This is an important day to highlight the ongoing fight for the restoration of dignity, respect and

Richmond BC-Over a hundred supporters of the locked-out workers of IKEA Richmond gathered outside the store today to demand IKEA settle the lockout. On May 13, 2013, IKEA Richmond locked out its workers after the Teamsters members working in the store rejected the company’s offer unanimously. Teamsters 213, which represents the workers, continues to press the company for a negotiated contract

Vancouver – BC Minimum Wage workers have had their wages frozen since May 1, 2012. The B.C. Federation of Labour is calling on the BC Government to increase minimum wage to $13.00 per hour and convene an independent panel of labour and business representatives to recommend future increase. The BC Government committed to reviewing minimum wage every second year to ensure that minimum wage workers

Vancouver, BC – Upon initial review, the labour movement gives mixed review to the BC Government’s “re-engineered education and training” program. The Federation is pleased to see the BC Government’s new plan has committed to hiring 15 apprenticeship counselors with a priority on Aboriginal people and those with a disability. However, the new plan doesn’t address the most significant barrier to

Vancouver, BC - Yesterday's Government of Canada announcement that it would suspend the Temporary Foreign Worker Labour Market Opinions (LMOs) in the food services sector would do nothing to protect current TFWs from abuse nor would it put unemployed Canadians back to work. The Government of Canada has allowed the TFW program to swell dramatically in the entry-level sector in the past few years.