The Winnipeg General Strike A Rift Between Western...

Laura Alb CHC2Dc Stage 2 Research Report The Winnipeg General Strike Research Question: How does the Winnipeg general Strike mark a rift between western Canadian employers and labour workers? Outline: I) Introduction - General Background information - Focus statement: This paper will focus on the opposition between western Canadian labour unions’ resolve to play a larger role in politics and industry and employers’ objection to comply with them. II) The progress of the strike: a demonstration of workers’ neglect and aspirations A) Climate conducive to strikes (radicalism, creation of One Big Union, inflation, unemployment, post WWI setting, difficult working conditions, employers not willing to negotiate) B) Course of the strike (unison, role of women, Winnipeg paralysis) III) The Failure of the strike: the strength of employers in a capitalist country A) Opposition’s response and resources (Accusations on part of Committee of 1,000 and Winnipeg’s leading newspapers) B) The federal Government’s response: supporting employers. (Arrest of 10 Central Strike Committee leaders; 2 One Big Union members; â€Å"Bloody Saturday†; violence towards strikers.) VI) Societal impact: A divided nation A) Bitterness among labour unions B) Increased unionism and disposal to fight C) No settlement between workers and their employees. VIII) Conclusion Notes Bib. 1: Bercuson, David J. Confrontation at Winnipeg: Labour, Industrial Relations, and the General Strike. (Book) Bib. 2: