News and media

It might not be the chatter at your Labour Day BBQ, but make no mistake: 2019 was a remarkable year of progress for workers and their families in B.C. Let me explain. It starts with economic security. Tens of thousands of low-wage workers, the majority of whom are women, are now feeling the benefit of the NDP government’s boost to the minimum wage. The rate increased to $13.65 per hour on June 1

Labour Day is a celebration of workers, unions, and of our movement and a chance to reflect on our incredible achievements. By any measure, 2019 was a banner year for workers and their families in BC. Thanks in part to our ‘Workers Deserve Better’ campaign, the labour movement was instrumental in securing the first significant updates to the provincial Labour Code and Employment Standards Act

Vancouver-Today, the BC NDP government announced a consultation on paid domestic and sexual violence leave. “The BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) welcomes the consultation and will use the opportunity to strongly advocate for employers to provide at least 10 days paid leave to their workers,” said Sussanne Skidmore, BCFED secretary treasurer. “Domestic, intimate partner and sexual violence reaches

Vancouver - Today, the BC NDP government announced that the Employment Standards Branch will no longer require workers to use the so-called “self-help” kit to resolve employment standards complaints. The self-help kit forced workers to first file workplace complaints with their employer before a worker could reach out to the Branch for help. “I know how difficult it is for vulnerable workers to

Vancouver - BC’s Labour Relations Board (LRB) has upheld the right of the BCFED to use a “hot edict” to put economic pressure on unfair employers during labour disputes. On July 29, the LRB ruled on a challenge by Western Forest Products (WFP) that sought to limit the scope of the hot edict and have it struck down. Over 2,600 Steelworkers employed by WFP on Vancouver Island are on strike to save