Irene Lanzinger, BC Federation of Labour president, won’t seek third term

VANCOUVER – BC Federation of Labour president Irene Lanzinger has announced she will not seek a third term as leader of British Columbia’s largest organization representing workers.

Lanzinger says in a news release she will not run for another two-year term when the federation holds its convention next month in Vancouver.

The 63-year-old, who also served two terms as the federation’s secretary-treasurer in 2010 and 2012, was elected to the top job in 2014.

Lanzinger is the first woman to hold the post, guiding an organization that represents over 500,000 members from affiliated unions across the province.

She is also credited with spearheading the successful fight for a $15 minimum wage in B.C.

Lanzinger says now is a good time to make a transition in leadership because B.C.’s New Democrat government is ready to help workers.

“The labour movement is strong, vibrant and united, with a focused agenda to campaign for balanced labour laws, safer workplaces, and improved employment standards and skills training,” she says in the release.

Lanzinger is also a former president of the BC Teachers Federation and led the 41,000-member union during a relatively calm period in its history, from 2010 to 2013.