WORKERS RIGHTS

Josh Elsbury, Rachel Meecham, Karishma Mehta, Domenico

DiFelice, Ryan Sabo

Soldiers returning

from the war were

scarred from the horrors

they had witnessed

Some found it hard to

settle down to the

civilian life

Lots were affected by

shell shock (PTSD)

RETURNING VETERANS

Few services were available

for them

At first soldiers with

disabilitieswere given

government support, bus as

the economy weakened, the

support was cut

Veterans with disabilities

were unemployed

Some veterans thought

by joining together they

could fight the federal

government

In a number of cities

vets tried to organize

protests but would end up

in jail

GREAT WAR VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION

The GWVA tried, but

failed, to win improved

compensation for all vets

with disabilities and the

families of those who

had been killed

In the early 1900s,

labor union activity

increased in Canada

This activity reflected

growth in the worldwide

labor movement

LABOR UNREST

Canadian workers

began to demand 8 hour

work days, recognition

of their unions, and

improved wages

Between 1914 and

1918 membership and

labor unions grew

The experience of Canadian soldiers in Europe had

taught many that working collectively brought

results

Strikes organized by labor unions in the states

found broad based support in Canada

LABOUR UNREST CONT.

On May 1 1919 Winnipeg trade of

union building went on strike

on May 15 at 11am the Winnipeg

trade union and labor board

settled for a city wide strike

An hour later 20000 people of 94

unions were offered jobs

The strike closed factories, stores

and stopped city street cars

WINNIPEG GENERAL STRIKE

A central committee

coordinated a negotiation

with the labor protesters

Services such food delivery

and delivery of dairy products

were allowed after that

Delivery trucks had signs

saying “Permitted by

authority of strike committee”

Idea of unions coming together

became popular

March 1919 unions gathered in

Calgary and decided to make

one big union

Members would support one

another if one decided to strike

The beliefs of OBU (one big

union) were the same

ONE BIG UNION

Workers were urged to unite

fight those who denied equalities

and fairness

To achieve goals OBU supported

general strikes

General strike wasn’t against

one employer

At Calgary meeting OBU

declared a general strike

starting JUNE 1

Army moved to occupy

streets of city

Strikers returned to work

6 weeks after strike

started in fear of losing

jobs

Forced to sign

agreements not to join a

union

OPPOSITION TO THE STRIKE

On June 17, some

strike leaders were

arrested

100 people were

injured and one

worker was dead

 Citizens’ committee of 100

formed to oppose the strikers

They viewed the strike as an effort

by foreigners to overthrow the

democratically elected Canadian

Gov.

Recruited volunteers to replace

striking workers, fired all Winnipeg

police officers refusing to sign a

pledge of not joining strike and hired

1800 special police officers

CITIZEN’S’ COMMITTEE

City called in Royal North-West

Mounted Police

Federal Gov. was afraid the

strike would spread to other

cities (supported the committee)

Immigration laws were changed

so that any striker who was an

immigrant could be deported

immediately

On Saturday, June 21, 1919, members of the Royal North-West Mounted Police charged at protesters who had attacked a streetcar driven by a replacement worker. Order was restored, but that day become known as “Bloody Saturday” because of the violence

Law required employers to

recognize the right of workers

to bargain collectible through

a union

Began a new era of political

involvement for workers

John Queen became mayor of

Winnipeg

J.S. Woodsworth was elected

to House of Commons in 1921

CONSEQUENCES OF THE STRIKE

Did not bring the changes

workers hoped for

Union membership

dropped as unemployment

rose

Strike was not a conspiracy

to overthrow government