British Columbia Federation of Labour

Make it safe, make it fair  

You have a right to be safe on the job.

BC’s unions have led the fight for safe workplaces and decent compensation for workers who are injured or become ill on the job.

That fight has become tougher as a result of sweeping changes implemented by the Campbell Liberal government that reduced protections for workers, less enforcement and cuts to compensation for injured workers and their families.

The Federation’s Occupational Health and Safety Committee spearheads labour’s work by bringing together representatives of the province’s major unions to push for safer workplaces and better compensation for injured workers.

New rules to protect late night workers

Since January 2006, the B.C. Federation of Labour has been campaigning for stronger safety provisions for late night retail workers working alone.

WCB has scheduled hearings for June 2007 to review a number of health and safety regulations including tougher rules to protect late night retail workers working in gas stations and convenience stores.

These changes include 24 hour pre-payment when purchasing gasoline, and new rules that would require an employer to ensure that between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am at least two workers must be on shift, or doors must be locked and a lone worker must be seperated by a security barrier. 

Email the WCB and tell them you support tougher laws to protect late night retail workers.

WCB will also be holding public hearings in June 2007 to review these regulations.

If you are interested in presenting or would like more information on how to be heard the hearings please click here.

You have the right to refuse unsafe work

You can refuse to perform unsafe work and your employer is prohibited by law from discriminating against you as a result of your actions. Read the details.

You have the right to be trained in workplace safety

Under BC law, workplaces with more than 20 employees are required to allow their workers up to eight hours paid training in occupational health and safety. The BC Federation of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Centre offers this training to workers all over BC. 

Working alone: our fight to make work safe for gas station and convenience store workers

The death of gas station attendant Grant Depatie, killed while trying to prevent a gas and dash theft from his Coquitlam gas station, highlighted the perils of working alone. The federation, working with Grant’s family, has led the battle for positive changes. Read the details .

Safety for farmworkers

Within a week of the tragic death of three farmworkers in a van accident on Highway 1, the B.C. Federation of Labour was fighting alongside their families for sweeping changes to make work safe for farmworkers

To learn more about farmworkers click here.

For more information, please go to Worker's Rights .