The Winnipeg General Strike | Canada History Week 2019

Summary

In the aftermath of the Great War, workers in Winnipeg struggled to make ends meet, leading to a wave of strikes demanding better wages and conditions. The general strike, sparked by the 'Hello Girls' at the phone company, quickly grew to include thousands of workers. Despite the violence of Bloody Saturday, the strike ended, but it left a lasting impact, inspiring further action for workers' rights, especially for women in the workforce. The story highlights the resilience and determination of labor movements in the early 20th century.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Great War left the people struggling to make ends meet and seeking change.
• 😀 Workers in the building and metal trades fought for the right to collective bargaining.
• 😀 A series of strikes led by the Winnipeg Trades and Labor Council culminated in a general strike.
• 😀 The strike began with the 'Hello Girls' at the phone company, who led the call for action.
• 😀 Workers from various sectors, including retail clerks, garment workers, and waitresses, joined the strike.
• 😀 Over 30,000 workers, both union and non-union, participated in the Winnipeg General Strike.
• 😀 A labour cafe was set up during the strike, serving over 1,200 meals a day to workers and supporters.
• 😀 The speaker was confronted by police, questioning if Canada was truly a free and enlightened nation.
• 😀 Bloody Saturday resulted in the deaths of two people and over 30 injuries, leading to the strike's end.
• 😀 Despite the official end of the strike, the speaker views the event as a victory that inspired ongoing workers' rights movements.

Q & A

What was the primary reason behind the Winnipeg General Strike?

The Winnipeg General Strike was sparked by economic hardship following the Great War, as workers demanded the right for collective bargaining and better working conditions in the building and metal trades.

Which group of workers initiated the Winnipeg General Strike?

The strike began with the 'Hello Girls' at the phone company, who were soon joined by retail clerks, garment workers, waitresses, and other labor groups.

How many workers participated in the Winnipeg General Strike by midday?

By midday, 30,000 union and non-union workers had walked off the job.

What was the purpose of the labor café during the strike?

The labor café was set up to support striking workers, providing over 1,200 meals daily to those involved in the strike.

What did the speaker ask the police when they came to arrest them?

The speaker asked the police, 'Is this Canada the free? Canada the enlightened?' in a challenge to the state's actions against the workers.

What event marked the end of the Winnipeg General Strike?

The strike ended with 'Bloody Saturday,' a violent clash between the police and protesters that resulted in two deaths and over 30 injuries.

Was the Winnipeg General Strike considered a success or a failure?

Although the strike ended with bloodshed and was officially seen as a loss, it was viewed as a victory for the working class in terms of inspiration and future solidarity.

What long-term impact did the Winnipeg General Strike have on workers' rights?

The Winnipeg General Strike inspired continued efforts to fight for workers' rights, particularly regarding fair wages, better working conditions, and the protection of women workers.

What specific cause did the speaker continue to advocate for after the strike?

The speaker continued to advocate for better protection for female workers and the enforcement of laws relating to fair wages and improved working conditions.

What was the symbolic significance of the Winnipeg General Strike?

The strike symbolized the power of worker solidarity and the determination to fight for social and economic justice, despite facing violence and repression.