Hundreds of delegates have already stopped by the Take Back the Power campaign booth at the BC Fed convention, but for those that haven't, make sure you swing by during the exhibition.

You can find us by looking for the flagship COPE 378 blimp flying high above all the other booths, or by falling the waft of fresh popcorn.

This year's convention exhibition marks the launch of our 10,000 Voices Campaign, calling upon British Columbians to take action next March 26 and call, email or fax your MLA, the premier, or a cabinet Minister, and tell them to stop building private power projects on BC's rivers and streams.

A report and recommendations on actions that unions and workers can take to help address the crisis of climate change was passed unanimously by delegates to the BC Federation of Labour Convention this morning.

The committee, chaired by BCGEU president Darryl Walker, set forth an aggressive series of actions to combat climate change and to show that labour stands in solidarity with the rest of the progressive world in developing real solutions and real actions to save the planet.

Proceedings at the BC Federation of Labour began today with an enthusiastic and energetic greeting from Barbara Byrd, the Secretary Treasurer of the Oregon AFL-CIO.

Still clearly riding a high from the recent US elections, Byrd mentioned the election of Barack Obama several times and referred to the environment of optimism and change that has taken over in the US.

The US labour movement played a strong and active role in the recent elections, and serve as a strong and inspirational example of the role that unions and workers themselves can play in electing progressive and labour-friendly governments.

Gregor Robertson, the newly-elected Mayor of Vancouver, brought afternoon greetings to delegates at the BC Federation of Labour Convention this afternoon, receiving a loud and hearty response from the crowd.

Delegates to the BC Federation of Labour Convention were honoured this afternoon to witness the signing of a Joint Agreement between BC First Nations groups and the BC Federation of Labour.

The Agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding between the BC Federation of Labour and the key groups representing First Nations peoples and communities across BC, signaled the start of a new relationship between Aboriginal Peoples, the BC Federation of Labour, and working women and men across the province.

The BC Federation of Labour's 52nd Annual Convention got underway this morning at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.

The agenda for this year's convention is packed and hectic, with a number of key issues being discussed and voted upon.

Young workers from around BC gathered in Vancouver this weekend for the BC Federation of Labour's first Young Workers Convention.

Held prior to the Federation's main Constitutional Convention, the Young Workers' event set the energy and the pace for Federation delegates.

With over sixty workers under 30 attending this year's convention, this is one of the highest representations of young workers in the Federation's history, reflecting the commitment of the BC Fed's Officers and Executive Council to build and grow the labour movement.

TO: All COPE 378 Members at BCAA Emergency Road Services

RE: COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT RATIFIED

Your Negotiating Committee is pleased to announce that the three (3) year Collective Agreement has been overwhelmingly ratified by COPE 378 members at BCAA Emergency Road Services.

Salary Scale improvements will be 3.5 % in the first year, 2.25 % in the second year and 2 % in the third year. The first year increase is retroactive to and including 1 October 2008.

Other benefits and highlights include:

TO: All COPE 378 Members at BCAA Sales Centres

RE: COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT RATIFIED

Your Negotiating Committee is pleased to announce that the three (3) year Collective Agreement has been overwhelmingly ratified by COPE 378 members at BCAA Sales Centres.

Easter Monday is included as a Statutory Holiday effective 2010. Your Union has been trying to negotiate for you since we certified in 1997 and is pleased to have been successful.

Salary Scale improvements will be 3.5 % in the first year, 2.25 % in the second year and 2 % in the third year. The first year increase is retroactive to and including 1 October 2008.

Other benefits and highlights include:

COPE/SEPB National President Serge Cadieux met today with the Executive Board from Local 378 to discuss a number of our national organization's goals and priorities.

Cadieux's presentation was based on a follow up to workshops held at the Executive Board Planning session this past summer, which focused on the structure of the organization and strategies for moving our union forward.