MBiz

28 SPRING 2019 T he 1919 Winnipeg General Strike marked a pivotal moment in Canadian history. For six weeks, 30,000 workers — 20,000 of whom were not union members — stood in solidarity, until a violent confrontation on June 21 effectively brought the strike to an end. While the workers lost their fight for union recognition, better wages, and improved living and working conditions, the strike had a far-reaching impact. Strikers secured a promise from the province to hold a royal commission, which ultimately found that better wages and working conditions were in fact needed. And over the next few years, strike leaders were elected to all three levels of government, including J.S. Woodsworth, who went on to help form the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), which later became the NDP. Over time, universal health care, workplace safety standards, union job security and the 40-hour work week followed — benefits historians and labour leaders alike attribute directly to the strikers. The Manitoba Federation of Labour and supporters have been planning centenary celebrations for several years. And since early May, they have provided multiple opportunities for Winnipeggers to learn about the strike and to participate in the centennial, with free concerts, exhibits, strike tours and many other events. One of the most high-profile events is set for June 21, when a permanent memorial to the strike will be unveiled at the Pantages Playhouse Plaza. Conceived and designed by artist Noam Gonick and late sculptor Bernie Miller, it is a full-size replica of a streetcar, inspired by photographer L.B. Foote's iconic image of crowds tipping over a streetcar on June 21, 1919. On what is now known as Bloody Saturday, a silent parade to protest the arrests of strike leaders and the city's ban on demonstrations ended when the streetcar was driven into a crowd near City Hall. Angry strikers tipped it off its tracks and the crowd was attacked by North-West Mounted police, hired police "specials" and soldiers. At the end of the day, one striker had been shot dead, another was mortally wounded and dozens were injured. Fearing more violence, leaders officially ended the strike five days later, on June 26. The public art has been supported by the Winnipeg Arts Council's Public Art program, Heritage Canada, Winnipeg Foundation, Centre Venture, and Manitoba's labour unions. While the finishing touches are being added on-site, the bulk of the streetcar replica was built at DMS Industrial Constructors, by workers whose union is represented by Manitoba Building Trades (MBT). While there were many contributing factors, the strike was started when members of the Building Trades Council and Metal Trades Council — which later merged into what is now the MBT — walked off the job in early May 1919, after employers refused to recognize their efforts to organize together. The Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council called for a sympathy strike soon afterward, and the General Strike began on May 15 at 7 a.m., when women telephone operators were the first strikers to leave their posts. MBT commissioned a painting from 1919 WINNIPEG GENERAL STRIKE Remembering six weeks that rocked the city 1919 WINNIPEG GENERAL STRIKE

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