Winnipeg Free Press

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019 3 A crowd gathers at the corner of Portage Avenue and Main Street. UNITED STEELWORKER DISTRICT 3 #404-275 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4M6 Phone 204-940-3050 Web www.usw.ca/district3 Email district3@usw.ca CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SOLIDARITY Federation (CCF), the precursor to the NDP. In the immediate aftermath of the strike, many workers lost their jobs, half a dozen strike leaders were sentenced to jail terms ranging from one month to two years, and after a long, hard struggle, building and metal workers failed to win wage increases or the right to collective bargaining. Nevertheless, labour leaders persisted. Health and safety standards, the 40-hour work week, overtime pay, parental and bereavement leave, and union job security are among the modern-day benefits workers enjoy. "We're also glad that we haven't had to have a strike to that degree," Rebeck says. "Business and government and labour have all learned that there are better ways to resolve differences, to move things ahead and to make things better for working people." And yet, many of the same battles are ongoing. Collective bargaining rights are under fire, gender equity has yet to be achieved, and there's a new campaign — $15 is Fair — to secure a living minimum wage. "There are certainly areas where we've made substantial gains and there are areas where it's boggling that we have not made gains," Rebeck says. Over the next six weeks, labour unions and supporters are going all out to celebrate and memorialize the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, with book launches, plays, a Manitoba Museum exhibit, strike tours, the unveiling of a replica streetcar memorial at Main Street and Market Avenue on June 21, two public concerts and many other events. "There are all these extra ways to learn about our history and I hope people will take advantage of that in whatever way is most accessible for them. We're creating every opportunity for them to do it," Rebeck says. "To go six weeks where things were extremely cut back and people were standing in solidarity shoulder to shoulder and just leaning on each other; to be able to stand strong and continue that strike is a pretty amazing piece of history." The centenary is also an opportunity to learn about the modern labour movement, how the 1919 strike resonates to this day, and the power of the people when they stand united. "It's a chance to reflect on that sort of class solidarity that goes beyond being union members or not," Rebeck says. "We continue to see a growing disparity between the wealthiest and the poorest in our society today that's as relevant now as it was then. And I think this is an energizing moment to remind people of our past and remind people that we can have a better tomorrow if we do exercise our political strength — if we do exercise our votes, if we do elect people who share our values, if we do elect people who will keep in mind that we want some fairness and we do want a living wage. That's an ongoing campaign of the labour movement today." Learn more at www.mfl.ca JUNE 21 In what would come to be known as Bloody Saturday, a silent protest of the arrest of the strike leaders is attacked by North-West Mounted Police and Specials, resulting in the wounding of 34 people, two deaths, and 84 arrests. JUNE 25 The Strike Committee announces the end of the strike and calls upon workers to continue the struggle in the political arena. JUNE 26 The Winnipeg General Strike ends at 11 a.m. JULY & AUGUST The Strike Committee reorganizes as the Defence Committee to support the strike leaders facing trial. SEPTEMBER 2 A parade of 8,000 workers walks in support of the arrested strike leaders. A national campaign is launched to raise funds for their defence. DECEMBER 23 R.B. Russell is sentenced to two years in prison for seditious conspiracy. 1920 JANUARY – APRIL Strike leaders Fred Dixon and A.A. Heaps are acquitted, but leader R.E. Bray is sentenced to six months in jail. Leaders John Queen, Bill Pritchard, William Ivens, Richard Johns, and George Armstrong all receive one-year jail terms. OCTOBER 5 In the Manitoba provincial election, Fred Dixon, John Queen, George Armstrong, and William Ivens are elected to seats in the Legislature on a united slate of Independent Labour Party and Socialist Party candidates. NOVEMBER 20 In the Winnipeg civic election, three Independent Labour Party members are elected to City Council and three to the School Board. 1921 J.S. Woodsworth is elected to the House of Commons as a member of the Independent Labour Party. 1925 A.A. Heaps is elected to the House of Commons as a member of the Independent Labour Party.

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