Editor’s introduction As the housing crisis deepens in Canada, tenant unionism has re-emerged in many cities across Canada. In British Columbia, where the housing crisis is enormous, collective bargaining for tenants has become a central demand of Rent Strike Bargain (RSB). RSB is an organization coming from the new tenant unionism in British Columbia. Rankandfile.ca Continue readingThe challenges of tenant unionism in British Columbia
British Columbia
Dan Comeczko is a sawmill worker on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and one of the many workers on strike against Western Forest Products. The strike is being organized by United Steel Worker’s Local 1-1937, made up of many former locals from the now dissolved International Woodworkers of America. Comeczko agreed to be interviewed with James Continue readingVan Island sawmill worker talks strike & concessions
Sawmill workers across Vancouver Island have been picketing for a fair contract with Western Forest Products since the Canada Day long weekend. The strike by 3000 members of United Steelworkers Local 1-1937 is in opposition to WFP’s proposed clawback of holidays, pensions, seniority rights and many other contract areas. The workers are also striking for Continue readingForestry Workers Down Saws to Stop Cuts
James Chumsa reports from the picket lines on Vancouver Island about the forestry workers’ strike against concessions demanded by Western Forest Products.
By Gerard Di Trolio Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s volte-face on liquified natural gas (LNG) projects in British Columbia is a welcome development. The policy reversal seems to stem from the recent victory of the Green Party in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith by-election on May 6 which saw the NDP lose a seat they previously held. Whatever Continue readingThe Pipeline Divide
On February 25, 2019, Millennium Library in downtown Winnipeg implemented new security measures – a bag check and metal detector at the front entrance. Library workers and management have cited safety concerns regarding weapons, substance use and “inappropriate behaviour.” To the general public, the security screening came as a surprise. Many library users were upset Continue readingLibrary Security & Harm Reduction in the Workplace
By Lisa Descary As a rank and file trade union member and a socialist, I am very focused on reforms that I think will make life better for other workers: things like inexpensive quality childcare, cheap (or free) public transit…and housing. Given that I live in Vancouver, the most unaffordable city in North America, I Continue readingVancouver labour council has the wrong vision for the fall election
By David Bush, Gerard Di Trolio, and Doug Nesbitt After months of dragging their feet on the issue, the BC NDP have finally announced they have committed to a $15 minimum wage… in June 2021. That’s just a short 39 months away! At this point, there is no excuse for a province, especially a wealthier Continue readingLowered expectations: BC NDP’s path to $15
By Michal Rozworski I recently moved back to British Columbia from Ontario, a province that has just passed legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour within a little over the next 12 months. This is a bold and much-needed step, one brought about by the tireless organizing of low-wage workers and labour Continue readingB.C. needs a $15 minimum wage now!
By Daniel Tseghay The Government of BC is currently hearing from individuals and businesses across the province regarding timelines for increasing the minimum wage to $15/h; what to do with the minimum wage rates for farm workers, liquor servers, live-in caregivers, resident caretakers, and live-in camp leaders, which are currently lower than the general minimum Continue reading$15 and the B.C. Fair Wages Commission: An interview with Irene Lanzinger
By Daniel Tseghay On October 18th, federal government workers held rallies across British Columbia because many of them are not being paid for their labour. They demonstrated in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Chilliwack, Summerland, and Prince Rupert to raise attention to the Phoenix pay system, in place since February of 2016. The computerized system was initially Continue readingBC workers rally against Phoenix pay system mess
On October 14 voters in Vancouver will elect a new City Councillor in a by-election. Upon hearing that Geoff Meggs was to take up a position with the newly elected BC NDP Provincial Government it was clear that an opportunity for a progressive to be elected to city council had presented itself. Jean Swanson, a Continue readingLabour for Swanson