Tag Archives: BC Federation of Labour

Communications

Is BC Doing Enough to Protect Workers from AI?

By Isaac Phan Nay, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ten months after being urged to change the labour code to address artificial intelligence, the B.C. government is still considering its response.

In February 2024 the province asked a three-person panel to review the B.C. Labour Relations Code and propose needed changes.

Their report included recommended changes that would give unions more power to require consultation with employers over the introduction of AI tools.

Continue reading Is BC Doing Enough to Protect Workers from AI? →
Housing

Unions Criticize Vancouver’s Continuing Tent Sweeps

By  Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Vancouver’s continuing efforts to remove tents from the Downtown Eastside has drawn criticism from some unions and many of the  municipality’s own workers.   

Unions representing  hospital staff, shelter workers and even employees who began clearing  the tents on East Hastings Street on April 5 have condemned the approach  of city and police, saying it left displaced residents in an even more  desperate situation. 

Continue reading Unions Criticize Vancouver’s Continuing Tent Sweeps →
Business, Jobs, Politics

Labour Shortage, or Bad Jobs?

By  Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The B.C. government is offering the first look at parts of a $460-million plan to plug a growing labour gap as employers struggle to  fill jobs.

The province has budgeted  $126 million in the next year for skills training, helping immigrants to  have their credentials recognized and helping businesses hire staff.

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy said lack of staff is the number one issue for small businesses in the province. 

Continue reading Labour Shortage, or Bad Jobs? →
Politics

BC’s Negotiations with Government Lawyers Collapse

By  Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Lawyers working for the B.C. government say they’re willing to strike to win the right to form their own union after negotiations with the  province broke down last week.  

BC Government Lawyers  Association president Gareth Morley said two weeks of private talks  couldn’t end the impasse between lawyers, who want to form their own  union, and the government, which wants most of the association’s members  to join an existing union. 

Continue reading BC’s Negotiations with Government Lawyers Collapse →
Jobs, Poverty

Vancouver’s Decision to Abandon Living Wage Program Creates Shockwaves

By  Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In 2017, the City of Vancouver committed to ensuring its employees — and workers for city contractors — were paid enough to live there. 

At the time, Vancouver was  the biggest employer in the country to offer a living wage based on the  cost of rent, food and other necessities. 

“It was the largest living wage  municipality, and it did a tremendous job over the years in encouraging  other businesses to sign on,” said Anastasia French, the director of Living Wage for Families BC.  Then-mayor Gregor Robertson told media it was a way to guarantee  workers “a basic level of opportunity” in an expensive place to live and  work. 

Continue reading Vancouver’s Decision to Abandon Living Wage Program Creates Shockwaves →