News and media

(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC)The federal government’s announcement of new pandemic-related benefits and changes to employment insurance are needed and welcome, but are no substitute for permanent paid sick leave that all workers need, BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) president Laird Cronk said today. “The transition from the Canada Emergency Relief

(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam Territories — Vancouver, BC) The BC Federation of Labour offered its congratulations today to newly-appointed Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) Chair Jeff Parr. “We’d like to welcome Jeff Parr to this important position at a crucial time for the WCB,” said BCFED President Laird Cronk. “There’s a growing realization among British Columbians in the

(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam Territories — Vancouver, BC) Changes enacted into law today are a big first step in creating a worker-centered approach to health and safety and ensuring support for injured workers, BCFED President Laird Cronk said today. “These long-overdue changes will prevent injuries and save lives,” he said shortly after Bill 23 received royal assent. “And they

(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) The Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB)'s decision to presume COVID-19-related claims are workplace-related is a welcome step, the BC Federation of Labour said today. "It's good news that the Workers' Compensation Board has moved on this," BCFED president Laird Cronk said. "We're cautiously optimistic that this will mean

(Coast Salish Territory, Vancouver, BC) Today, the BC NDP government announced changes to the Workers Compensation Act arising from three expert reviews conducted in 2018 and 2019 by Lisa Jean Helps, Paul Petrie and Terry Bogyo. The Helps report responded to the two tragic mill explosions in Northern BC. Petrie’s report examined WCB compensation policy, and Bogyo made recommendations on the

(Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) — With workplace COVID-19 outbreaks fresh in the minds of political leaders and the public alike, the BCFED has released a plan to ensure paid sick leave for every worker in British Columbia. “No worker should have to choose between staying home when they’re sick and paying the bills. And with our plan, no worker will have