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Winnipeg General Strike. After WWI, many Canadian soldiers returned home to find few opportunities. The soldiers thought the jobs they had left would be there when they returned. The soldiers were mistaken.
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Winnipeg General Strike After WWI, many Canadian soldiers returned home to find few opportunities. The soldiers thought the jobs they had left would be there when they returned. The soldiers were mistaken. Canada provided little money, jobs, retraining or support to the veterans. As well, health benefits were limited and veteran pensions were often unpaid.
Winnipeg General Strike Companies who made war equipment had enjoyed enormous profits, and many business operators were rich. For the workers, wages were low, working conditions were unsafe, and labour regulations were mostly non-existent. During the war, women had worked in the factories. They had gained experience and skills. Many women did not want to return to the role of homemaker. Prior to WW1, many eastern Europeans had settled in western Canada. Large groups of Ukrainians moved to Winnipeg. Now, these groups were seen as undesirable.
Winnipeg General Strike In Canada, there was unemployment and very high inflation (40 - 60%) …frustration and anger. In Russia, the 1917 revolution had put a communist government in power. For Canadian workers, a socialist system (i.e., property and wealth distribution subject to the control of society for the common good) seemed like a good solution.
Winnipeg General Strike In May 1919, One Big Union was formed in Calgary. The union was seeking better wages and working conditions for workers in all Canadians cities. The union began to organize workers across Canada. Building and metal workers tried to become unionized, but management refused to negotiate. The workers decided to strike for better wages and union recognition.
Winnipeg General Strike One Big Union convinced all Winnipeg workers to support the strike, and by 11:00 a.m., 30,000 workers…almost all workers in Winnipeg…were on strike. The strikers included postal workers, police officers, fire fighters, water works operators and cooks.
Winnipeg General Strike At first, the strike was peaceful, and a Central Strike Committee was formed. The Central Strike Committee controlled the movement of goods and supplies (e.g., milk and food delivery) in many parts of Winnipeg.
Winnipeg General Strike Almost immediately, employers and the Winnipeg City Council established the Citizens' Committee of 1000, a group of Winnipeg's wealthiest manufacturers, lawyers, bankers and politicians. The Committee ignored the strikers' demands for improved wages and union recognition. Instead, the Committee claimed the strikers were Bolsheviks trying to start a violent communist revolution.
Winnipeg General Strike Local newspapers had lost most of their employees to the strike. Papers such as the Winnipeg Free Press called the strikers “bohunks”, aliens and anarchists. They ran cartoons depicting hooked-nosed Jewish radicals throwing bombs. In response to the negative press, workers began to hold similar but smaller strikes in cities across Canada.
Winnipeg General Strike The Government of Canada began to worry about the outcome of strikes in all Canadian cities. Government of Canada officials met with the Citizens' Committee of 1000, but they refused to meet with the Central Strike Committee. With Government of Canada support, the Winnipeg City Council fired all police officers. They were replaced with members of the Citizens' Committee of 1000.
Winnipeg General Strike • The Government of Canada acted quickly. • The Immigration Act was amended so strike leaders could be easily and quickly arrested and deported. • Striking government employees were ordered back to work. • On 17 June 1918, ten strike leaders were arrested. • More RCMP officers were sent to Winnipeg.
Winnipeg General Strike In protest, the strikers organized a rally in downtown Winnipeg. On 21 June 1918, the event turned violent. RCMP on horseback charged into the protesting strikers. Many more strikers were arrested, 30 people were injured and one person was killed. This event is called Bloody Saturday. On 25 June 1918, the strikers returned to work.
Winnipeg General Strike • Why? • Workers saw the need to unite. This was the start of many unions in other parts of Canada, as well as meaningful rules and regulations for labour (e.g., safe working conditions, appropriate wages). • Strike leader J.S. Woodsworth…was jailed during the Winnipeg General Strike…later founded Canada's first socialist political party, the CCF. It became the New Democratic Party of Canada (NDP)…the political party advocating the rights of workers and the alternative choice during many Canadian elections • Canadians began questioning the tactics and force used by the government. Should governments be able to attack…in newspapers and with guns…its citizens. A Royal Commission said, “No.” Canadians agreed.
