Winnipeg General Strike

Strikers in Winnipeg 1919

In November 1918, Canadians celebrated the end of World War and Canadian soldiers were on their way home at last. Most returned early in 1919 to find that there were no steady pensions for veterans, no special medical services for the wounded, and, most importantly, no job guarantees. In addition, many employers had grown rich. The labour unions were also dissatisfied, having reluctantly agreed to "patriotically-reduced" salaries. After the war, the cost of goods rose and workers suffered. The inevitable result was confrontation between workers and employers. There were numerous strikes in Canada over wages and working conditions. In the city of Winnipeg, the financial centre of western Canada and its largest city, the result was a general strike.

Source: National Archives of Canada

Assignment:

Read about the problems which led to the strike and the strike in the context of western protest movements, and examine the primary documents relating to the formation of the One Big Union. Then use the primary documents, the background on the Winnipeg General Strike, the materials on economics and labour, and other resources to do the following.

1. Explain the following terms: general strike and collective bargaining.

2. Why was the OBU (One Big Union) seen as a threat by its opponents?

3. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper to explain why you think the Winnipeg strikers were or were not justified in their actions. Write as a citizen of Winnipeg in 1919, and give your background. Use the guidelines for writing a letter to the editor.

4. In your opinion, are there times when workers should not be allowed to go on strike? What criteria would you apply in those cases?

Glossary: radical, general strike