Ken Georgetti is a modern labour leader. He has walked countless picket lines in support of striking or locked-out workers, and is a controversial, but respected guest in corporate boardrooms and cabinet offices. In every situation, he strongly advocates for working people and their families.

As President of the British Columbia Federation of Labour for 13 years, Ken earned a reputation for being innovative and outspoken while doubling its membership. Coming from a family of union activists in Trail, B.C., Ken was first elected in May 1999 as the youngest president in the Canadian Labour Congress’ history, at age 46.

At both the CLC and the B.C. Federation of Labour, Ken has helped ensure that labour was more representative of the face of the workforce, by actively promoting women, visible minorities and youth.

At the CLC Ken has won new federal legislation that protects workers in employer bankruptcies, ensuring their claims come first over any other creditors; Gained new federal health and safety improvements on ergonomics and violence in the workplace to help prevent injuries and deaths; And saw the passage of the “Westray Act” that holds corporate executives criminally responsible where negligence is the cause of workers’ deaths on the job.

As CLC president, Ken holds key positions with a number of important international organizations, including the International Trade Union Confederation [ITUC], where he chairs the ITUC Committee on Workers’ Capital. He is a member of the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD].

In Canada, Ken has founded the Shareholder Association for Research and Education – SHARE – which advocates for shareholder action, and the Columbia Institute – which fosters innovative community leadership and research.

Ken is also committed to social causes, such as promoting adult literacy, fighting child labour and supporting the United Way.

Ken’s contributions to labour and the community have earned him the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia.