1. The Labour Wars 1918-1919 Veterans Return from War Few Jobs, few benefits Not given compensation for the war No pensions, medical care Bosses are rich = Profited from war Often helping with the war effort by building weapons. The veterans form the Royal Canadian Legion (1925) to fight for veteran’s rights.

2. Price of Goods Soar!!! after the war, the wages stay low Workers had taken lower wages to support the war, but after the war, the wages stay low. Long hours, terrible working conditions. Unions are formed to fight for workers rights. 1918-1919 WORKERS

3. Philosophy Unions have left-wing ideologies. Employers feared a new “Bolshevik Invasion” of North America = Red Scare

4. Numerous Strikes One Big Union The One Big Union forms in 1919 Represent all workers More control over government & industry General strike is a Large-scale strike involving workers from many different trades. The objective is to shut down a city or community until the employers cave in. New Weapon: THE GENERAL STRIKE

6. WinnipegWinnipeg was a hotbed of radical politics & unionism OBUsocialist ideals Massive support for OBU and socialist ideals. Employers refuse to negotiate with unions Employers refuse to negotiate with unions. Unions ask trades and labour council for help. Idea Vote for General Strike –Idea Vote for General Strike – 11,000 YES600 NO11,000 YES - 600 NO THE 1919 WINNIPEG GENERAL STRIKE

7. The strike is supposed to be peaceful. They shut down almost all services in Winnipeg.

8. SUPPORT: Trades/Building Railway/Factory workers Police Firefighters Postal workers Cooks/Waiters Tailors 30,000 walk out OPPOSITION: (Against) Citizens Committee of One Thousand – Wealthy Elite Business Leaders Politicians Industrialists They saw the strikers as Bolsheviks (Reds-Commies) trying to overthrow the government. The federal government intervened.

9. Federal Government Acts: Immigration Act Amended: Deported all foreign workers & union leaders

10. Winnipeg Mayor hires new police & arrests union leaders Workers gather downtown to protest Mounted Police & special police sent out Mounted Police & special police sent out Armed with pistols and clubs, they beat the protesters. One dies. Armed with pistols and clubs, they beat the protesters. One dies. Finally, strikers return to work. Finally, strikers return to work. RESULT? = UNIONS SUFFER A SETBACK RESULT? = THE STRIKERS LOST. UNIONS SUFFER A SETBACK. Many workers only rehired after promising not to join a union. STRIKE LASTS 6 WEEKS UNTIL…