Irene Lanzinger chosen as new leader of B.C. Federation of Labour

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      Irene Lanzinger has been elected the new president of the B.C. Federation of Labour.

      More than 2,200 delegates cast their ballots today (November 27) for the province's top union leader.

      Lanzinger will be the first woman to lead the federation. She replaces outgoing, 15-year president Jim Sinclair.

      "I am so humbled, so proud to be your voice," she told delegates at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

      Lanzinger has been the secretary-treasurer of the federation since 2010. Prior to that, she was the president of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF).

      Her endorsers for leadership of the B.C. Federation of Labour included UNITE HERE Local 40, the BCTF, and Unifor.

      Lanzinger won the election with 1,137 votes. Amber Hockin, the other contender for the position of president, secured 1,080 votes.

      Hockin’s leadership campaign was backed by unions including the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union, CUPE BC, and COPE 378.

      Despite the close vote, Lanzinger said she's confident that delegates will leave the federation's convention "united".

      "We have a very strong and proud tradition in the B.C. Fed of being united," she said in an interview.

      "We had an election two years ago, and we came out of that election united. This one was much closer to be sure, but I have tons of respect for the unions that supported the other candidate, supported Amber, and I have a lot of respect for Amber."

      As for being the first woman to lead the federation, Lanzinger said, "it's about time".

      "Women are half the workers in this province, and actually a majority of union workers are women now," she said. "So it’s time for a woman, and I’m delighted that that’s what happened here."

      Aaron Ekman has been elected the new secretary-treasurer for the federation. 

      Ekman, who campaigned for the position on a joint slate with Hockin, lives in Prince George. He is the northern regional coordinator with the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union.

      The B.C. Federation of Labour represents more than 500,000 members from affiliated unions.

      Comments

      3 Comments

      Public Sector Unions

      Nov 28, 2014 at 8:21am

      She represents the continuing ascendency of public sector unions within the union movement. Public sector workers are a privileged elite within the body of workers in total. I'm one and can vouch for the perqs that come with it. Meanwhile, in general private sector workers's wages are dropping, their benefits are nearly nil (in general) and jobs are being cut everywhere. Precariousness is the norm, not the exception. Public sector unions need to invest huge amounts of money supporting private sector worker unionization efforts. If they don't they will continue to be apart from the full group of workers and will receive little sympathy when public sector unions need the support of other workers. They (Pub Sector) will be much easier for the Harpers, Clarkes, Trudeaus of the world to pick off.

      Your kidding me

      Nov 28, 2014 at 9:17am

      Lanzinger? LOL, I guess they voted her in based on her proven track record of successful negotiations wile head of the BCTF.

      miranda da costa diaz

      Nov 28, 2014 at 5:38pm

      While Irene Lanzinger was BCTF President (from 2007 - 2010), the BCTF was in the midst of the contract arranged by Vince Ready and voted on by all BCTF members. It was a consequence of the 2005 BCTF political strike. Thus, she did not negotiate anything. with regard to provincial collective agreement matters. She did, however, provide thoughtful and clear leadership on issues of international solidarity, social justice and other initiatives, including strong opposition to the persistence of BC children living in poverty. Ms. Lanzinger also developed a reputation among the general public as a strong advocate for public education who could effectively argue, as well, about the folly of the current mania for standardized testing. I think being a Math teacher has been a tremendous asset: when unwitting interviewers and talk show hosts try to debate the 'numbers' connected with public education financing with Irene, she always wins: rational, informed, logical. Beats the opposition every time.