Critical Perspectives and Reflections

Bill Lee May 20, 2019 On May 1, 1919, the Winnipeg's building and metal workers went on strike for higher wages. Two weeks later, the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council appealed for a general strike in support of the metal workers. They were demanding an improvement in their poor, filthy and unsafe, working conditions, inadequate wages and the refusal by many employers to recognize and negotiate with unions. Reflecting the tenor of the times1 , the response was overwhelming, a strike committee was formed and on May the 15th a general work stoppage took place. For six weeks (38 days) the workers’ committee virtually ran Winnipeg.                          May 15 of this year marked the 100th anniversary of the beginning of remarkable and brave action by men and women (it was women, specifically the 500 operators, the “Hello Girls”, of the Telephone system that started it off by walking out at 7:00 am) who sto...