Unions and the Winnipeg General Strike

Labour Unrest a wave of labour unrest swept across Canada a wave of labour unrest swept across Canada. Workers struggled with employers to determine the direction of postwar society. Workers struggled with employers to determine the direction of postwar society. What to do with the ex soldiers. What to do with the ex soldiers.

Returning Soldiers Many ex soldiers did not find steady work with decent wages when they returned home from the war. Many became angry. Many ex soldiers did not find steady work with decent wages when they returned home from the war. Many became angry. Ex soldiers expected that their sacrifices would be rewarded with steady jobs. Ex soldiers expected that their sacrifices would be rewarded with steady jobs. Many women had taken over the jobs performed by men. Many women had taken over the jobs performed by men. Veterans expected to go back to their own jobs. Veterans expected to go back to their own jobs.

Union Movement Union Movement declared that the economy should benefit ordinary workers, not just industrialists. Union Movement declared that the economy should benefit ordinary workers, not just industrialists. Who did this union appeal to? Who did this union appeal to? Many political groups agreed with this. Many political groups agreed with this. Many people wanted a ‘voice in the management and a share in the profits…’ Many people wanted a ‘voice in the management and a share in the profits…’ It is ‘un-Christian to accept profits when labourers do not receive a living wage.’ It is ‘un-Christian to accept profits when labourers do not receive a living wage.’

Union Movement Farmers in Canada under the Canadian Council of Agriculture called for public ownership of essential services such as railways and electrical power. They also wanted old age pensions, and widow’s allowances. Farmers in Canada under the Canadian Council of Agriculture called for public ownership of essential services such as railways and electrical power. They also wanted old age pensions, and widow’s allowances.

An Era of Unions 1920s many unions in Canada wanted to unite under one union. One Big Union (OBU) Saw society as a class struggle between workers and business owners. By uniting they could win the struggle. Encouraged workers to engage in a general cross country strike.

Union Outlook Many people who did no belong to unions saw them as communists. Thus began the ‘Red Scare’. Unions actually praised the Communist Revolution in Russia. Their slogan was ‘Workers of the World, Unite’. If union members were found with communist literature they were sent to prison

Wide Spread Strike 1919 a widespread strike across Winnipeg. Their goal was to win the right to bargain as a group to gain better pay, and to improve working conditions. Working Conditions = Work week, Conditions in the factory (harsh environment), unsafe. This is called Collective Bargaining.

Tensions Mount 30, 000 workers walk off the job in Winnipeg, followed by ‘sympathy’ strikes in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. 30, 000 workers walk off the job in Winnipeg, followed by ‘sympathy’ strikes in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. Stores and factories close, city departments shut down. Some are afraid it is the beginning of a communist revolution Stores and factories close, city departments shut down. Some are afraid it is the beginning of a communist revolution Winnipeg officials ban parades and demonstrations. RCMP raids homes of union leaders. Winnipeg officials ban parades and demonstrations. RCMP raids homes of union leaders.

Images of the Strike

Riot! June 21, 1919 = violence in the streets. Cars are set on fire – the RCMP charges the crowd. 1 man is killed, 30 injured and 100s arrested. June 21, 1919 = violence in the streets. Cars are set on fire – the RCMP charges the crowd. 1 man is killed, 30 injured and 100s arrested. The day becomes known as ‘Bloody Saturday’ The day becomes known as ‘Bloody Saturday’ Central Strike Committee orders the workers back to work and the strike is over. Central Strike Committee orders the workers back to work and the strike is over. Some families never recover financially – leads to pro-worker political parties like the NDP later Some families never recover financially – leads to pro-worker political parties like the NDP later