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1872: The fight for a shorter work week
The Toronto Typographical Union demanded 9 hour work days. Prime Minister John A Macdonald introduces the trade union act protecting Unions -
1919: The Winnipeg General Strike
At 11:00am March 15, 1919 workers walked off the job and marched into the streets, this was one of the biggest labour acts in Canada's history. Two people were killed and many were injured. "Bloody Saturday" -
1940: The birth of Unemployment Insurance
During the econommic depression of 1929-1939 young men had to work for low wages in governmenr camps. The fought for a living wage taking their fight to Ottawa where legislation was introduced by MacKenzie's Kings Liberals giving rise to Unemployment Insurance. -
1945: Windsor's Ford Strike
Septmember 12 1945 the Union went on strike creating a blockade with cars around the plant. Negotiations broke down and the govenerment became involved (Cabinet Minister Paul Martin Sr). Settling with a 2 week mandatory vacation. -
1956: The founding of the Canadian Labour Congress
CLC was created. This is a single, country wide labour organization to help unionized workers work together for common goals. -
1960: The Right to Safetyl at Work
In the 1960 foreign workers were victims of exploitation and unsafe working conditions. Notable 5 foreign workers died after being sent into a tunnel that caught fire and efforts to extinguish the fire lead to mud burrying the men alive. This event lead the creation of the Canadian Labour "safety" code. -
1965: Public Service Workers win bargaining rights.
The Canadiand Union of Postal worked wanted to be able to bargain collectively, strike and have access to higher wages and better management. This lead to a "wildcat" strike but resulted in government compliance. -
1971: Maternity and Parental Benefits
Unions were involved in negotiating increased lengths of leave, job protection and the inclusion of parents whome adopted children.