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(Coast Salish Territory, Vancouver BC) – BC’s labour movement is pleased with the recent Workers Compensation Board (WCB) announcement that COVID-19 will be added to Schedule 1 of the Workers Compensation Act, BCFED president Laird Cronk said today. “It’s an important step,” he said, “and putting this into place is critical.” The measure, known as presumptive coverage, will mean “workers who

(Coast Salish Territory, Vancouver BC) — “You don’t leave your wounded soldiers on the battlefield,” BCFED president Laird Cronk said today, adding “Essential workers who become symptomatic with COVID-19 deserve WCB coverage.” The provincial government has designated a broad range of industries — from healthcare and first responders, to food production, transportation and retail sales, to

Sussanne Skidmore, Secretary Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) issued the following statement: “The current health crisis has revealed how undervalued certain critical work has been in our society. I want to start off by thanking the workers on the farms throughout BC for continuing to grow, harvest and process the food that we all need to eat during this pandemic. We are incredibly

(Coast Salish territory, Vancouver BC) - The provincial response to the COVID-19 crisis includes important supports and protections for workers advocated by the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED). Yesterday, the BC government legislated unlimited protected leave for workers who are quarantined, self-isolating, or caring for loved ones amidst the pandemic. BC also announced income supports—a $1,000

(Coast Salish territory; Vancouver, BC) - As rent and mortgage payments come due at the end of the month, the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) is calling on all levels of government to co-ordinate and prevent evictions and mortgage foreclosures to ensure no one is removed from their homes in BC due to the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, BCFED is advocating that Canada follow the lead of other

(Coast Salish territory; Vancouver, BC): As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts and shuts down BC’s economy, the labour movement is calling on the provincial and federal governments to move urgently to guarantee paid, protected sick leave and other income supports for all workers. The BCFED is outlining five concrete actions needed immediately to ensure workers can follow public health advice and have