VANCOUVER 鈥� Fifteen years as leader of the sa国际传媒 Federation of Labour is enough for Jim Sinclair, who will not seek re-election as head of the organization that speaks for 500,000 union members.
Sinclair said that it鈥檚 the right time for him to step down and he鈥檚 proud of the federation鈥檚 accomplishments, including those on behalf of late-night workers and farm workers.
He said campaigns focusing on minimum-wage increases, proper employment standards and contracting out have given workers across the province a voice, but more needs to be done.
Sinclair said he regrets that British Columbians don鈥檛 yet have the basic right to join a union and that people鈥檚 wages are actually going down over time.
鈥淲e have to change the fact that we鈥檙e racing for the bottom.鈥�
The labour leader said he first realized the power of unions at age 17 when he walked a picket line in Hamilton in support of immigrant women who worked at a textiles plant in Hamilton.
Sinclair said he has no intention of getting into politics after he leaves his position. 鈥� 鈥楴ot at this point,鈥� he said cautiously,鈥� Sinclair joked. 鈥淚鈥檓 60, I鈥檓 young. I have enough energy left to take on another challenge in my life.鈥�
He told Vancouver radio station News 1130 that he will take a break and then decide what to do next. 鈥淚鈥檓 not retiring. I鈥檓 going to take up some other challenges,鈥� he said.
The sa国际传媒 Federation of Labour will hold its 56th annual convention Nov. 24 to 28 in Vancouver.
