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Carolyn Askew was a lawyer and the first Legislative Counsel for the BC Federation of Labour, beginning in 1972. She explains she was one of only a few women law school graduates and women had difficulty getting articles with firms. In the late 1960s she established the Community Legal Assistance Society with Mike Harcourt and Ian Waddell. She taught at the People's Law School. At the BC Fed, Askew was involved in establishing the first Women's Committee. She offers recollections of behind…

Gary Kroeker spent over 35 years as an activist and executive member of Local 115 of the International Union of Operating Engineers as well a term as President of the BC Building Trades Council. He spoke with past-President of the BC Federation of Labour, Jim Sinclair, about the changes and challenges faced by the building trades over the years as well as the positive accomplishments of the unions in that sector.

Diane Wood spent many years as a union activist starting in Duncan where she organized the School District clerical workers and led her first strike. She then moved to North-east BC where she began her activism in the BCGEU. She was active in Operation Solidarity having personally experienced termination without cause as a result of the government's draconian Bill 3. Wood was elected as Treasurer of the BCGEU in 1987 and continued in the roll until 2005. As well as being a tireless champion…

Dave Smith worked for Canada Post in Prince Rupert until he retired. He became President of his local of the Letter Carriers Union until it merged with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in 1989. He also served as President of the Prince Rupert Labour Council—one of B.C.'s oldest—for over 15 years. Brother Smith recalls some picket lines and labour disputes during his years as a union activist. He reflects on the realities of the labour movement in a small "union town" with humour and…

John Bowman grew up in the north end of Winnipeg and went to the University of Winnipeg studying labour history and journalism. He became active in progressive issues. John edited the student union newspaper while taking a full course load. He later worked for CUP for a year. While editing the student newspaper at U of W, John participated in many picket lines at the Griffin Steel Foundry where the issue was the CAIMAW foundry workers opposing compulsory overtime. It was a long battle…

B.C. Federation of Labor policy statement on picketing.