Stephen von Sychowski

Stephen von Sychowski is President of the Vancouver and District Labour Council (VDLC), representing approximately 60,000 union members across the City of Vancouver and neighbouring municipalities.

His involvement in worker activism began in 2001, in peace, international solidarity, and anti-privatization efforts. In 2004 he became involved in the VDLC Young Workers Committee, and his involvement in the Labour Council has continued since that time.

In 2007, Stephen joined his first union, MoveUP. He became active in a number of roles with the union during the following years, including Job Steward, Executive Board Member, and Strike Coordinator. He eventually became a full time Union Representative, handling grievances, arbitrations, collective bargaining, and other matters. In doing so he also became an active member of United Steelworkers, Local 2009. Since 2018 he has been on leave from this position to fulfill the duties of VDLC president.

Stephen also serves as a member of the Executive Council of the BC Federation of Labour, the Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee of the City of Maple Ridge, a Director of the BC Employment Standards Coalition, and Chairperson of the Worker Education and Labour Learning Society. He has also served on the Board of Directors of United Way of the Lower Mainland.

Photo credit to Diana Perez