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Canada in the Twenties: A Struggle for Workers' Rights

Returning veterans faced challenges with no pensions or medical benefits. Labour workers demanded higher wages and better conditions after low pay during the war. Labour unions gained influence, influenced by the Bolshevik Revolution and forming the One Big Union. The Winnipeg General Strike sparked unrest, leading to Bloody Saturday. Short-term effects included setbacks for unions, but long-term improvements were achieved.

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Canada in the Twenties: A Struggle for Workers' Rights

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  1. Canada and the Twenties • An Uneasy Adjustment http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/pictures/gfx_pictures/369wia.gif http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/content/collections/cmdp/images/vm18-l.gif

  2. Returning Veterans • no pension • no medical benefits for wounded • few jobs

  3. Labour Workers • Worked during war for reduced pay while cost of goods had soared, now demanded: • higher wages • better working conditions • rights to join unions

  4. Labour Unions • Influenced by: • 1917 Bolshevik Revolution

  5. Communism • a system of government in which all the means of production and distribution are publicly owned

  6. One Big Union • formed in western Canada to represent workers in one organization • goal was to establish more control over industry and government through peaceful means

  7. Winnipeg General Strike

  8. Winnipeg city Council outlawed right to strike by civil employees • Metal and building workers walk off job • Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council vote general strike to support them • 30 000 workers join strike • 94 of 96 joined strike- Police / typographers didn’t

  9. Citizens Committee of One Thousand • made of business leaders, industrialists and some politicians • fear communist overthrow of government

  10. Bloody Saturday • Royal North West Mounted Police charge crowd resulting in one killed and 30 injured • union leaders arrested • civic workers fired • Immigration Act amended to deport foreign born union leaders

  11. Short Term Effect • Unions suffer setback and are broken • Distrust between working class and businesses

  12. Long Term Effect • Royal Commission supports workers’ grievances • Many of demands are eventually achieved

  13. Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) • formed by J.S. Woodsworth • later became New Democratic Party (NDP)

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