British Columbia Federation of Labour

Adopted in Convention Nov. 29, 2000
B.C. Federation of Labour

Wednesday, November 29, 2000

Boycotts are an important tool of the labour movement to apply economic pressure on employers and governments who deny working people their fundamental rights.

In declaring a boycott, we ask consumers to lend their support to working people and refrain from purchasing or using goods or services. In order to determine whether a boycott should be declared, and to maintain the value of boycotts as a tactic, the B.C. Federation of Labour has adopted the following principles and procedures:

1. A boycott declaration may be adopted for the purpose of assisting union members in obtaining a just collective agreement, or for the purpose of obtaining economic or social justice for any group of working people.
2. A boycott request should be received from the union's Ranking Officer in British Columbia.
3. A boycott request should identify an achievable goal that will result in the end of the boycott.
4. An organization requesting a boycott declaration should provide as much information as possible about the goods and/or services that will be the subject of the boycott, including the means of identifying the products. The organization should also identify alternative goods and services consumers can purchase or use during the boycott.
5. An organization requesting a boycott must be able to demonstrate a vigorous commitment to pursuing the boycott, and be prepared to provide information and materials in support of a boycott campaign.
6. The Federation will be more likely to impose a boycott where the evidence indicates that a boycott can have a significant impact in achieving the desired outcome. Since it often takes some time for a boycott to have a significant impact, timing will be an important factor for consideration.
7. Where the requested boycott is of national or international scope, the Federation will normally refer the matter to the Canadian Labour Congress.
8. In circumstances where a boycott is deemed inappropriate, the Federation Officers may consider alternative support actions.
9. Adequate consultation must take place with affiliates that may be affected by a boycott.
10. A boycott may be terminated where the sponsoring organization does not provide sufficient support for the campaign, or when the goal(s) no longer appear achievable.
11. For the duration of the boycott, the Officers of the Federation will monitor the effectiveness of the boycott, and expect regular reports from the organization sponsoring the campaign.

Affiliates should not declare a boycott until the proposal has been considered by the Federation. The success of our strategies has been and must continue to be founded on the essential ingredients of solidarity; consultation, collective decision-making and united action that respects the interests of other unions' members.

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