The Historical Significance of the Winnipeg General Strike

The Historical Significance of the Winnipeg General Strike Did the Winnipeg General Strike have a significant impact on how workers in unions are treated today?

Objectives discuss the historical significance and consequences of the Winnipeg General Strike describe the long-term impact of the Winnipeg General Strike conditions for works in Canada

Mind Map – Review Winnipeg General Strike Causes - Inflation /high cost of living - Worker’s Demands - Higher wages (inflation) - Working conditions - Bargaining Power Gov’t/Employer Response - Fear of Bolshevik-style revolution (Communism) - Deport immigrants (‘alien’ enemies) - Jailed strike leaders - shot, beat, and arrested strikers = 2 deaths - Refused to meet workers demands

Pretend Strike In groups of 4, pretend you are striking metal workers during the Winnipeg General Strike and write up a list of at least 4 grievances that you would have had. From those grievances, create a picket sign using scrap paper, with a maximum of 4 -5 words on it.

Class Discussion Do you think your groups’ grievances would be relevant today? Are your concerns still concerns today? What was the most common grievance given by the class?

Immediate results of the strike and its historical significance – TAKE NOTES Government crushed the strike.

Immediate results of the strike and its historical significance Government crushed the strike. Metal workers went back to work without a pay increase

Immediate results of the strike and its historical significance Government crushed the strike. Metal workers went back to work without a pay increase Began looking at politics as a future means of resolution.

Immediate results of the strike and its historical significance Government crushed the strike. Metal workers went back to work without a pay increase Began looking at politics as a future means of resolution. Beginning to believe that liberty and free speech were what was actually on trial.

Immediate results of the strike and its historical significance Government crushed the strike Metal workers went back to work without a pay increase Began looking at politics as a future means of resolution. Beginning to believe that liberty and free speech were what was actually on trial. Workers to defend their interests.

Immediate results of the strike and its historical significance Many immigrants laid-off after strike.

Immediate results of the strike and its historical significance Many immigrants laid-off after strike. Significance: Workers became conscious of themselves as a class

Immediate results of the strike and its historical significance Many immigrants laid-off after strike. Significance: Workers became conscious of themselves as a class; unions would become a powerful force in Canada.

Immediate results of the strike and its historical significance Many immigrants laid-off after strike. Significance: Workers became conscious of themselves as a class; unions would become a powerful force in Canada. In the 1920 Manitoba provincial election, 11 labour candidates won seats. Four of them were strike leaders.

HWK Safeway workers in B. C. http: //www. ufcw 247. com look around on site and find at least 3 specific benefits workers would receive as a result of being a part of that union – write it down