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