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(Burnaby) Today’s announcement that a re-elected BC NDP government will make a major investment in training skilled trades workers is a big step forward for BC’s economy, BCFED President Sussanne Skidmore said today. “This investment will go a long way toward ensuring BC has the skilled workforce we need to meet the challenges of tomorrow. And it'll ensure great opportunities for British

This is a joint submission from the BC Federation of Labour and Janet Patterson and is our response to the PPRD discussion paper and our recommendations for ASTD policy changes.

In the five years since the previous review of the Labour Relations Code, our world and workplaces have changed significantly. Many of the recommendations flowing out of the last Code review are now implemented, and have brought welcome improvements to workers' lives. But workers continue to face considerable gaps in their ability to access unionization, and those who would benefit from collective bargaining the most too often find themselves without a path to representation. It is time to look to new bargaining structures — sectoral and broader-based bargaining models — to ensure that precarious workers have a pathway to unionization.

This submission provides additional information in response to the presentations and submissions made by others to the Labour Relations Code Review Panel.

The BC Federation of Labour is pleased to present our submission on the proposed amendments to Parts 16 and 20 at the public hearing today. The BCFED represents more than 500,000 members of our affiliated unions, from more than 1,100 locals, working in every aspect of the BC economy. The BCFED advocates for improved health and safety and compensation for all workers in BC. The Federation is recognized by the Workers’ Compensation Board ("WCB”) and the government as a major stakeholder in advocating for the health and safety of all workers in BC and full compensation for injured workers and their surviving dependents. This submission was done in consultation with the BCFED's affiliated unions.

The BC Federation of Labour appreciates the opportunity to provide our recommendations with respect to the proposed amendments for Chapter 9, Average Earnings Policy Review and proposed amendments. The Federation represents more than 500,000 members of our affiliated unions, from more than 1,100 locals working in every aspect of the BC economy.