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Strong unions key to a healthy middle class Labour Day is a day to reflect on the important role of working people in Canada’s economy and our society, and on the gains we’ve made in the past 100 years. This Labour Day we also remember that it was working people banding together that brought us these gains. It is all too easy today to take for granted the role of unions in improving our working

ABBOTSFORD MISSION l KELOWNA l VANCOUVER l VICTORIA There were 592,200 union members working in British Columbia in 2012. That’s 31% of all employees. Their weekly payroll of over $575 million accounted for 36% of the total for the whole province. On average, unionized workers earned $5.12/hour more than non-union employees. That union advantage translated into $100 million more every week paid

Kelowna, BC—On Monday morning, B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair joined several dozen members the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 213, employed at Fortis BC, who has been locked out by the company which declared $187 million in profits last year. The workers we're joined by members of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees’ Union (COPE) Local 378

New Westminster – BC Ferries announcement that it will build three new Intermediate class vessels was bittersweet, as BC Ferries once again opened the procurement process to international shipyards. "We have been building ships on the west coast for over 100 years. We have the infrastructure, we have the facilities and we have the trades’ people to do the job," said Lee Loftus, President of the BC

Richmond, BC – A Saturday morning show of support is planned for IKEA workers at the Richmond IKEA location, where workers have been effectively locked out since early May. WHAT: Support Rally WHERE 3320 Jacombs Rd, Richmond BC TIME: 11:00 am, Saturday, July 20, 2013 Speakers at the event will include B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair and a number of IKEA employees who will speak

Victoria--In the face of today’s revised budget, which showed British Columbians facing increased unemployment, lowered economic growth, declines in housing starts and retail sales, and further cuts to services, the British Columbia Federation of Labour has renewed its call for government to convene a business and labour summit to find solutions for the province. “We are ready to find answers that