WISHING A JOYOUS VAISAKHI TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE - BCFED
Happy Vaisakhi to everyone observing this holiday marking the spring harvest in Punjab and northern India. For Sikhs, Vaisakhi is especially significant, marking the birth of the Khalsa tradition in 1699.
To all who are celebrating, we wish you happiness, health and peace for all!
We honour the memory of the millions murdered in the Holocaust by standing united today against those who would see those atrocities repeated; by speaking out against hatred of all kinds; and by working together to uphold the human rights of all.
We know that antisemitism remains a virulent threat — from online abuse and conspiracy theories, to slurs and hateful graffiti, to violent attacks.
As Jewish people light candles tonight in memory of those murdered by the Nazi regime, we join them in mourning and remembrance. And BC's unions stand with them today in solidarity on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Yom HaShoah - We will never forget
Six million Jews were murdered by a brutal regime determined to erase an entire people. Millions of others were killed alongside them: singled out because of disability, political views, labour activism, sexual or gender identity, ethnicity… or simply because a neighbour denounced them to the Nazis.
Vince Ready (yes, that one) remembers a massive avalanche that struck the remote Granduc copper mine camp in 1965. Twenty-six of the 150 workers on site were killed. www.labourheritagecentre.ca/collection/t...
It's been a tough run for our crews over the past few weeks. Thanks to union workers across the system for showing up for passengers and each other. 💪
Hermender connected that struggle to the broader fight for equity and justice for working people everywhere, saying that work is far from over — and that our greatest strength comes when we stand together in solidarity.
Hermender speaking at a lectern in front of a collage of images from the fight by South Asian Canadians for the right to vote
A group of 10 people in front of a collage of images from the fight by South Asian Canadians for the right to vote
Hermender spoke last night to the Community Awards Dinner held every year by the Dr. Hari Sharma Foundation. The dinner commemorates the anniversary of the restoration of voting rights to South Asian Canadians.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate!
A very happy Easter to everyone celebrating this holiday of rebirth, renewal and brighter days ahead!
Thank you to autistic and neurodivergent workers and self-advocates everywhere who are helping us to advance our shared understanding of neurodiversity. Let's keep working to ensure everyone has the supports they need and the respect they deserve.
It's a chance to challenge some assumptions about our workplaces, our communities and our unions — about what conditions and environments are truly welcoming and inclusive to everyone, and allow all of us to live full, meaningful lives in connection with each other.
World Autism Acceptance Day - April 2
April is Autism Acceptance Month, and today is World Autism Acceptance Day. This is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions that autistic people bring to the labour movement and to our province. #BCLab
You can learn more about this history in Union Zindabad!, a book from the @bclhc.bsky.social tracing South Asian Canadian labour activism from the early 20th century to today: saclp.southasiancanadianheritage.ca/union-zindab...
Today, Sikh and Punjabi British Columbians are leaders across our movement. They include BCFED Secretary-Treasurer @hkailley.bsky.social, who serves on the Provincial Committee on Anti-Racism and is helping to advance the development of a Museum/Centre for Canadians of South Asian Heritage.
Courageous organizing among farmworkers in the 1960s and later (including by founding Canadian Farmworkers Union President Raj Chouhan, now Speaker of the BC Legislature) further cemented that tradition of solidarity, and launched the work of some of BC’s most noted political and labour figures.
The International Woodworkers of America was one of the first major unions that came to respect the organizing skills and tenacity of its Sikh members.
Over time, through courage and struggle, Sikh labour activists became central to BC’s union movement. The principles of Sikhi align strongly with the values of solidarity: Seva (selfless service), Sarbat da Bhala (the well-being of all), and Nirbhau Nirvair (justice without fear or hatred).
That history includes hard truths. Most early unions were dominated by white workers and some participated in shameful violence like the anti-Asian riots in 1907. But Sikh workers persisted — organizing, advocating, and steadily reshaping our movement from within.
In BC, Sikh workers helped build the foundations of key industries like forestry and sawmilling. Their gurdwaras became vital community hubs of worship as well as organizing and mutual support, even as Sikh and other South Asian workers faced exclusion from many parts of society, including unions.
Sikh Heritage Month
April is Sikh Heritage Month — a great time to recognize the profound contributions of Sikh workers to our country, our province, and our movement. #BCLab
Chag Pesach Sameach!
The Jewish holiday of Passover commemorates an escape from oppression, and reminds us that liberation is always possible. To all those celebrating this evening and tomorrow, Chag Pesach Sameach!
And we’re proud and happy to extend the solidarity of British Columbia’s labour movement to transgender people everywhere.
We oppose any politician whose path to power leads over the backs of people who are often marginalized, and simply trying to live their lives.
And not coincidentally, that campaign is being spread by many of the same voices attacking Indigenous people, racialized people, women, labour unions, newcomers and others.
But that’s not the reality facing transgender people today. They’ve been singled out in a relentless hate campaign targeting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Every one of us should be able to show up as our authentic selves in our day-to-day lives, whether it’s in the workplace, at home, at school, online or anywhere else. And you should be able to do that without putting your job or your physical and mental health at risk.
Transgender Day of Visibility
Today is the International Transgender Day of Visibility. It’s a day to celebrate and support the many transgender members of our movement and our community.
#TransDayOfVisibility #BCLab
Dexterra is at it again. Image of cleaning bucket behind a transparent purple background.
Image of five workers outdoors holding their pledge cards
Image of five workers and one young person outdoors holding their pledge cards outside of the building
Dexterra is at it AGAIN. Workers at multiple sites across Metro Vancouver are preparing to strike. Let's go! ✊🏽🧹
#JusticeForJanitors
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