The Winnipeg General Strike

The Labour Movement in Canada

Readings

• From William Lyon Mackenzie King: The loner who kept Canada together, read page 17, the sections on ‘Willie invents the company union’

WWI and employment

• During the First World War, as young Canadian men went overseas, it became more and more difficult to find workers back in Canada

• For those who remained, this meant that you could get high wages

• Leads to inflation

• When the war ends, 500 000 men return from overseas and come looking for work

• Meanwhile companies and owners are looking to reverse gains made by employees

• Radical labour groups form, inspired by the Communist movement

• Governments oppose these labour groups and the creation of unions

One Big Union

• In 1919, workers in Western Canada form a group called the One Big Union (OBU)

• Looking for better wages, a five-day work week, and legal recognition of the union

• By the end of 1919, had 50 000 people as members

Winnipeg General Strike

• In May 1919, negotiations break down between employers and men working in building and metal trades

• Workers go on strike, and call for a city wide strike

• Within hours 30 000 workers had gone on strike, as 94 of 96 unions agree to go on strike

• City comes to a halt

Citizens Committee of 1000

• Made up of manufacturers, bankers and politicians (Winnipeg’s elite)

• Formed to oppose the strike

• Got support of government and the military

• Portrayed the strike leaders as “alien scum”

Bloody Saturday

• June 17th – special police arrest strike leaders

• June 21st – protests turn into riots, and police and military attack protesters

• 1 killed, at least 20 wounded

Lingering Effects

• By June 25th the strike is over

• Bitterness remains in Winnipeg for decades afterwards

• Conservative Party loses election of 1921

• Leads to much improved working conditions