Actions and Responses
Item One: Membership Card for One Big Union -- Industrial Unionism
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/5/4/16543504/1841770.jpg)
Fig. 8: One Big Union Membership Card. 39
The One Big Union (see Subjective Conditions for more information) is an example of an exceptionally large industrial union (reaching a membership of about 50 000 in 1920).21 Industrial unionism is essentially the consolidation of all of the various workers within an area into one major grouping, with numerous smaller groups based on particular industries/trades within this. This is contrary to trade unions which are separate entities exclusively containing workers of one particular type/trade and negotiating better wages, hour and working conditions exclusively for their own members. As a result, the impact of strike actions by particular unions was reduced as a significant component of the worker body (un-specialized workers) would continue to work. The industrial unions, in contrast, seek better working conditions for every single worker and can achieve this through massive, immensely debilitating strikes and actions in times of oppression or exploitation. Additionally, principles of industrial unionism have their basis in communist principles: the ultimate goal of industrial unionism is to eliminate the existing wage system from industrial establishments and to provide labourers with full control in matters regarding their own benefits.40
An example of an early industrial union is the Industrial Workers of the World or IWW. The Industrial Workers of the World was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1905 and sought to form industrial unions comprised largely of unskilled (often immigrant) labourers, with the idea that in cases of worker oppression or abuse, these workers would rise up together for their rights.19 Of particular significance is the fact that the IWW organized major strikes in 1912, grand exhibits of the power of an industrial union, ones which came to be known as the Fraser River Railway Strikes. Starting on March 27th, numerous railway workers on the Canadian Northern Railway went on strike to protest poor working conditions. By April 12th, the striking body grew to over 8 000, leaving 640km of railroad undeveloped. Eventually, Grand Trunk Line workers joined the strike and later, immigrant railway workers went on strike for at least $3 minimum wage and a 9-hour work day. While this was happening, IWW provided supplies and organized the strikes. In the end, demands were refused due to the Industrial Disputes Investigations Act of 1907, which discouraged extreme responses in an industrial-based conflict prior to discussion and negotiation regarding the issue,26 and some 300 people were arrested.
Interestingly, a song about the strikes was written by Joe Hill, (a wobblie) in 1912. A rendition of it can be found here.41
An example of an early industrial union is the Industrial Workers of the World or IWW. The Industrial Workers of the World was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1905 and sought to form industrial unions comprised largely of unskilled (often immigrant) labourers, with the idea that in cases of worker oppression or abuse, these workers would rise up together for their rights.19 Of particular significance is the fact that the IWW organized major strikes in 1912, grand exhibits of the power of an industrial union, ones which came to be known as the Fraser River Railway Strikes. Starting on March 27th, numerous railway workers on the Canadian Northern Railway went on strike to protest poor working conditions. By April 12th, the striking body grew to over 8 000, leaving 640km of railroad undeveloped. Eventually, Grand Trunk Line workers joined the strike and later, immigrant railway workers went on strike for at least $3 minimum wage and a 9-hour work day. While this was happening, IWW provided supplies and organized the strikes. In the end, demands were refused due to the Industrial Disputes Investigations Act of 1907, which discouraged extreme responses in an industrial-based conflict prior to discussion and negotiation regarding the issue,26 and some 300 people were arrested.
Interestingly, a song about the strikes was written by Joe Hill, (a wobblie) in 1912. A rendition of it can be found here.41
Item Two: Meredith Report of 1913 -- Worker's Compensation
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Fig. 9: First Page of Meredith Report. 42
In 1889, the government-created Royal Commission on the Relations of Labour and Capital brought up, among other points, observations of large numbers of workplace injuries due to unsafe working environments.43 Some 20 years later, in 1910, William Meredith became part of a newly-created Ontario commission developed for the purposes of analyzing and considering workers compensation.44 Three years later, in 1913, William Meredith wrote the Meredith Report, which proposed a system of workers compensation wherein employers must compensate workers in exchange for the workers’ rights to seek legal action against the employer being eliminated.44 The next year, the Ontario Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1914 45 adopted the ideas presented in Meredith’s report, providing reimbursement for injuries suffered by workers, regardless of responsibility.43
Item Three: Poster for On to Ottawa Trek
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Fig. 10: Poster Promoting On to Ottawa Trek. 46
Starting in April of 1935, unemployment relief camp workers (see Richard Bennett section) launched a two month strike for better working conditions47 (the workers exhaustively laboured e.g. clearing bushes, building public buildings, etc., for 44 hours,48 6 and a half days each week, and for a salary of only about 20 cents)47, in Vancouver.47 As a result of the unsuccessful outcome of the strikes, the workers felt that they should appeal directly to Prime Minister Richard Bedford Bennett, in Ottawa.47 On June 3rd, over 1000 workers led by Arthur Evans “Slim” departed from Vancouver and, using freight trains, began their journey to Ottawa.47 In Regina, 8 strikers achieved permission to negotiate with Bennet, while the rest remained behind due to the fact that railways prohibited their further use of trains.49 Discussions between Bennett and the workers did not yield consensus and RCMP officers were dispatched to break up the striker group.49 This subsequent attempt resulted in the Regina Riot, on July 1st,47 which left 1 constable dead, dozens injured and 130 arrested.49The immense journey undertaken by the strikers was quite popular amongst the general public and the forceful tactics used by Bennett did not fare well for his image: he and his Conservative government lost a later election and the relief camps were closed by the new Liberal government.47