Winni-Facts
The Winnipeg Strike gained speed on _______.
What is May 15, 1919? The strike lasted for six weeks (June 26, 1919). At 7 am the "Hello Girls" walked out in Solidarity to support the movement which started on May 1 with the building trades. On May 2nd metal trades workers joined in the effort.
Economic Hardships
what are low wages, rising prices, and poor working/ living conditions
Special Constables
What are SCABS Policeman? Also known as Citizen Soldiers. The police did not retaliate, further losing their jobs. Also, postal workers refused to send mail marking it "return to sender".
Approximately this many workers walked off the job at the height of the strike
What is 35 thousand workers including union and non-union. This included about 90 unions. Approx 17% of the city was involved in the strike
Who's that Girl
Who is Helen Armstrong? She was the leader of the Women's Labour League in Winnipeg. She opened a dining hall to feed strikers and raised money to help female workers pay their rent.
2:20@Portage and Main
What is an overturned streetcar on fire. In 2019 for the 100 year anniversary a statue was erected to commemorate the strike.
The Opposition
What is the citizens Committee Of One Thousand? The Business Elite were furious with the turn of events and lobbied all 3 levels of government to crush the strike as fast as possible to maintain control.
The radical labor union aimed to unite all workers and continued organizing after the strike
What is the One Big Union (OBU) which was formed June 4, 1919. It was a replacement for the then out-lawed IWW (Industrial Workers of the World)
Legacy
What are trendsetters. Many other provinces were emboldened to demand better in their areas, and it continues to this day.
Who said this, "I wish to avoid the use of sterner methods if possible, but will use whatever methods are necessary to enforce law and order."
Who is Mayor Charles Gray?
June 21, 1919
What's Bloody Saturday? Mounties fired into the striking crowd, 2 died and dozens of others injured.
Many of the strike leaders were arrested and charged with this type of crime
What is sedition. Labor friendly parties significantly increased seats at all 3 levels of government.
After the general strike of 1919, the Winnipeg city counsel held a labor friendly majority for this many years.
What is 25 years.
Demonstrating solidarity
What is the Central Strike Committee? The CSC coordinated strike efforts and represented the united voice of over numerous different unions during the Winnipeg General Strike.
Who dem boys
Who is Robert Boyd Russell and Peter Herenchuk. They were machinists from local Lodge 122. Robert was the Secretary treasurer of district lodge 2 and led the metal trades council.