Workers' History Museum
251 Bank Street, 2nd floor K2P 1X3 Ottawa, ON, Canada

Justice and Dignity for All is a documentary that looks at a labour victory and the 40 years of struggle by rural & suburban mail couriers in successfully winning the right to unionize & gaining pay equity. You can watch it here: https://workershistorymuseum.ca/justice-and-dignity-for-al/

Our December News Letter is here! We look at the coal strike of 1912-1914, a plaque to recognize the labour dispute, Mrs. Kavangh role and also the passing of a great advocate for BC Labour History. Find all this and more below: https://mailchi.mp/labourherit/dec-2020-newsletter-4799418

A friend of the Workers’ History Museum recently passed away after a brief illness. He was a Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at Carleton University. To learn more about John Taylor and his work with the University and museum click here: https://workershistorymuseum.ca/john-taylor/

It's that time of year again, the President’s Year-End Challenge! We hope you have stayed healthy and safe during this strange year of 2020. The Workers’ History Museum is very proud of all the essential workers who have given their best to help keep all of us safe and we thank them. We know some of you wait for the end of the year to see if you can make charitable donations. The WHM is only one of many worthy causes, but we have been running short financially. We would like ...to encourage you to support us with a special double your giving impact offer. For the first $500 worth of donations made before December 24, our President, Wilbray Thiffault will personally match it! If you or your organization wish to make a donation, please fill out our Donor Form, contact [email protected] or visit our website at workershistorymuseum.ca We wish you and yours a happy holiday season!

Lisez l'article ci-dessous pour en savoir plus sur la décision de la Cour suprême dans l'affaire Fraser. Le tribunal réaffirme l'égalité des femmes sur le lieu de travail - les employeurs ont l'obligation de traiter les femmes de manière égale et sans discrimination. http://syndicatafpc.ca/victoire-cour-supreme-reaffirme-lega

What is a family? We just launched this feature video that looks at family, the struggle for equal benefits, love and determination. In the 1990s there was a six-year-long human rights struggle to bring justice, inclusion and forced equal treatment that is highlighted in the video. The Worker’s History Museum is proud to present this video in celebration of their victory - showcasing activism and solidarity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibTV1d7-o5E

Read the article below to learn about the Supreme Court decision in the Fraser case. The court reaffirms women's equality in the workplace - employers have the obligation to treat women equally and without discrimination. http://psacunion.ca/victory-supreme-court-reaffirms-womens-

It's here, our November newsletter! Read about the new South Asian Canadian Legacy Project and more here: https://mailchi.mp/labourherit/nov-2020-newsletter-4775430

The Canadian Labour International Film Festival is virtual this year! You can attend the festival from home and all events are FREE to attend and host. To get tickets, click this link: https://watch.eventive.org/cliff2020

This painting shows a mother doing work around the house as shown by her son in response to his father's normal introduction of his wife as doing nothing as she is at home. Her son is wise beyond his years. Today is Thanksgiving Day 2020 that will be celebrated differently due to COVID-19. Do celebrate your health and family however you can while following the COVID-19 restrictions. Stay safe and enjoy your day.

An interesting article about Ottawa's first labour movements and a strike from 1891concerning the lumber mills in Ottawa and area.

We hope you are enjoying Labour Day 2020 as this brings the summer to an unofficial end and the return to work and school for so many. Please reflect for a few minutes on the effects of COVID-19 on Canadians and others around the world. We owe so much to the front-line workers for ensuring that we continued to have our basic amenities and services during the height of the pandemic. Thank you from the Workers' History Museum Board of Directors and volunteers to healthcare workers, grocery store staff, cleaners, border workers, cleaners, restaurant employees, food inspectors, scientists, government workers who ensured emergency funds were issued, and many others for your dedication to Canadians.

In 1973 the Chilean military attacked the democratically elected Popular Unity Government and established a military junta that suspended civilian rule and killed, imprisoned, and tortured thousands of Chileans. It was from this baptism of fire that the Chilean Canadian community built and re-built itself. On September 11, 2020, there will be a webinar about the churches and unions that campaigned to have Chilean refugees accepted into Canada and the history of the Chilean Canadian community in Toronto. If you are interested in attending please send an email to [email protected]

This massive container, one of three, is a "hydrapulper" at the former E B Eddy paper mill in Ottawa where it was installed January 1949. The schematic was found in the now-closed plant where a Workers' History Museum team spent 13 months recording the facility prior to re-development. To read more click here: http://workershistorymuseum.ca//what/pictures-of-the-month Photographer Paul Harrison

Before there were professional photographers, there were professional illustrators, who created accurate drawings of scenes. This one is by artist William Henry Bartlett and it was acquired by the Museum because it is one of the earliest depictions, dated 1842, of a sawmill at Rideau Falls. Many pieces of art like this one are seen in books and in print!

Check out this article, Paul Harrison shares insights on his travel encounters. He visited the island of Kauai - its long industrial history has created a beach of cast-off bottle, windshield and other glass that has been ground down by decades of waves into a unique sort of sand. To find out more, follow this link: http://workershistorymuseum.ca//whats_ha/travel-encounters

Here is our May Newsletter! The stories we share about the history of BC workers rely immeasurably on researching archived newspaper articles. Without journalists, our history won’t be saved.

This is a fun video about working from home during COVID-19. Sometimes it is not as easy as you think. Enjoy.

Women have been struggling for years to get equal pay for equal work and the COVID-19 pandemic is going to affect this struggle.

latest newsletter from the BC Labour Heritage Centre.

In a recent newsletter, we have announced that the Annual General Meeting scheduled for Monday, March 16th is being postponed due to the covid-19 situation. We will let everyone know when it will be rescheduled. Thank you for your understanding.

Here is our 2019 Pat McGrath Scholarship recipient, you can learn more about her and the work she submitted when you click the link! In both English and French! Voici notre récipiendaire de la bourse Pat Mcgrath 2019, vous pouvez en apprendre plus de info sur elle et le travail qu’elle a soumis lorsque vous cliquez sur le lien!

Check this out, a story about the 1870 wildfire in and around Ottawa. Researched, created, and presented by Ruth Stewart-Verger and Murray Rob Roy McGregor. Production by the Workers' History Museum. Let us know what you think!

The new image of the month coming right up! This set of antique woodworking planes was arranged and photographed for archival purposes. They are part of a collection of wood-working tools in the Museum's artefact collection, donated by the descendants of two lifelong woodworkers, Gus Hatfield (1916-1981) and Pat Sullivan (1903 -1988). Many of these tool assemblages were featured in our 2018 Calendar. Photographed by Bob Acton, with arrangement advice by Paul Harrison.... The Museum is always happy to consider donations of artifacts and documents related to the history, work, lifestyle and union activism of Canadian, and especially Ottawa-area workers. If you have tools, documents or images you think may be of interest, please contact us at [email protected].

The BC Labour Heritage Centre's December newsletter! A lot of valuable information can be read if you follow this link, check it out: https://bit.ly/344FOSP

Tonight is the night for the CLIFF Movie Festival! From 7-9 PM enjoy a national film festival about issues important to working people from Canada and around the world. Don't miss you, it's free admission!

President’s Year End Challenge: Hello. I hope this has been a good year for you: it has for me. I know some of you wait for the end of the year to see if you can make charitable donations. The WHM is only one of many worthy causes, but we have been running short financially. I would like to encourage you to support us by a special double your giving impact offer.... For the first $500 worth of donations made before December 24, I will personally match the $500 total. You get a tax deduction and help the WHM. I hope you can help us out! If you or your organization wish to make a donation, please fill out our Donor Form, contact [email protected] or visit our website at workershistorymuseum.ca. Wilbray Thiffault, WHM President, wishing you and yours a happy holiday season!

In filmmaker Sarah Fodey's documentary, survivors of a decades-long homosexual witch-hunt recount their personal stories of dedication and betrayal at the hands... of the Canadian government. Some softened by age and sadness, others loud and angry, the voices of the former public servants targeted in the purge are now united, and determined -> See more

The day is fast approaching for the Canadian Labour International Film Festival #CLIFF This film festival is taking place November 22 at 7 PM with free admission! Can we count on you to join us?

Join us for the Canadian Labour International Film Festival #CLIFF November 22 at 7 PM. Free admission, we hope to see you there

This porridge pot is the oldest item in our collection! This #featurefriday let's celebrate family history and family treasures. Belonging to Mary Lennox, this ...porridge pot was brought to Canada in 1821 by her ancestors John and Ishbel MacDonald and their eight children when they emigrated from Scotland. The porridge pot was made for the family in 1747, making it nearly 100 years older than the second oldest item in our collection! See more

Did you get the chance to check out this article by the @ottawasuncom? The LRT seems bright and new to most of us but it actually represents a return to our city's roots. To learn more, click here: https://bit.ly/2nP4HCr

Show off your knowledge and come enjoy a night filled with trivia on September 30th at Colonnade Restaurant in Centretown (Metcalfe/Gilmour) To participate reserve a table with [email protected] $15 per person with teams of 4-6 people

On this day in 1918, the Borden Government declared the Industrial Workers of the World also known as the IWW or the Wobblies illegal in Canada.

All in a Day has a segment with David Dean where they look at what the role of a museum should be. Thanks for David for mentioning the Workers' History Museum in their discussion! You can listen here:

Vancouver Island Coal Strike began on September 16th 1912 when miners at Cumberland declared a "holiday" to protest the firing of Oscar Mottishaw. Canadian Collieries, recent purchaser of the Dunsmuir Mines, locked them out and hired Chinese and recruits from Britain and the US as strikebreakers. The issues were safety (gas explosions had killed hundreds) and union recognition. Other Island employers, Western Fuel and Pacific Coast Collieries, had followed the pattern set by Robert and James Dunsmuir in vigorously resisting any union, especially those from the US. By spring 1913, 3500 miners from Nanaimo, Extension, S Wellington and Ladysmith were off work, the United Mine Workers of America providing leadership and strike pay. Photo: Ladysmith Archives

On this day in 1998: Jennifer Wiebe and Tessa Lowinger successfully unionize a Macdonald's in Canada. The fight to organize the third-busiest McDonald's in British Columbia began when Lowinger, 16, and Wiebe, 17, began discussing the need to do something about the deteriorating working conditions with their co-workers and with Lowinger's father, Hans Lowinger, a rail worker and member of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW). The CAW is the union that now represents the McDonald's ...workers in Squamish. In just three days, the two young fighters got more than the legally required 55 percent of their co- workers to sign union affiliation cards. http://www.caw.ca/en/8655.htm

#OTD: On September 5th 1872 Ottawa workers gave PM Sir John A. Macdonald a torchlight parade through the streets of the city, in thanks for his promise to legalize unions in Canada. He did this the following year with the passage of the Trade Union Act.

Liberal-Conservative Prime Minister John Thompson and his government made Labour Day, to be held the first Monday in September, an official holiday in 1894. In doing so he was carrying on the tradition of Sir John A. Macdonald of trying to gain the support of the labour movement and the 'working man" for their party. This made the 1894 Labour Day our first real weekend in Canada, as Saturday was part of the work week for most workers until the 1950s. Enjoy the weekend and r...emind everyone you know who brought it to us: the labour movement... and political leaders trying to win favour! Image: Ottawa Citizen Sept 2, 1894

On August 28th, 1971 the first Gay Rights Protest took place on Parliament Hill. Video from CBC News Archives:

The unfurling of a swastika flag at a Toronto softball game led to a five-hour brawl on August 16th, 1933, known as the Christie Pits Riot. .

Firefighters and Lightkeepers were certified with PSAC on this day 52 years ago, August 1st, 1957.

On this date in 1918 BC labour leader, Albert "Ginger" Goodwin, was shot and killed by Dominion Police Special Constable Dan Campbell. Campbell claimed he fired in self-defence, and was never tried for the killing. Ginger’s Death Sparked the first Canadian general strike in Vancouver on August 2nd 1918. An English immigrant, and the son of a coal miner, Goodwin worked to improve working conditions for miners in BC. He served as a vice-president of the British Columbia Federation of Labour, president of International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, District 6, and president of the Trail Trades and Labour Council. A vocal critic of the First World War he was avoiding the draft at the time he was murdered. [photo Cumberland Museum]

On this day in 1894 Canadian Prime Minister John Thompson and his government make Labour Day an official holiday, to be held every first Monday in September.

On this day, 5 July 1948, the UK National Health Service (NHS) was founded, on the principle that medical treatment should be provided according to need rather ...than the ability to pay. Legislation to bring in prescription charges was introduced by Labour in 1949, and ever since the free, socialised service has been under attack from successive governments who have gradually introduced more charges, marketisation and privatisation. And it's up to us, the working class, to defend it! We only post highlights on here, for all our anniversaries follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrkclasshistory See more

Photography as we know it was invented in the 1840s, but a practical method not involving complex and bulky chemicals on glass emerged in 1884 when George Eastman marketed "film" - a dry gel on paper - that could be developed in a studio dark room in simple, timed steps. The processes were easy to learn and required relatively little investment, so there was a rapid flourishing of photo studios worldwide. Ottawa was no exception. This image bears on the back a logo of "Wallis... - Photographer - Sparks Street - Ottawa" with the emblem of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, who was Canada's 10th Governor General from 1911 - 1916. This implies - not necessarily truthfully - that the Duke was a patron of the Wallis studio. The WHM image archivist has been assembling a collection of images not available elsewhere to become a unique record of the lives and workplaces of workers. Visit our website to learn more about this image and view others in the collection:

Congratulations to Jan on becoming the CUPW President

BC LABOUR AND THE 1919 WINNIPEG GENERAL STRIKE: On May 15, 1919 the Winnipeg General Strike began and lasted for six weeks. A pivotal event in Canadian history..., the uprising laid the ground for legal recognition of unions, and collective bargaining. What is often forgotten is the sympathy strikes which took place across Canada and notably in British Columbia. In the coming weeks we will be sharing stories of BC's experiences during the Winnipeg General Strike on its 100th anniversary. On May 16, 1919 the Vancouver Trades and Labor Council sent a telegram to Winnipeg proclaiming that, organized labor in Vancouver pleased at cohesion demonstrated by workers of Winnipeg. Augurs well for future.

Starting this Saturday, the second annual MayWorks Ottawa 2019 festival of working people and the arts will bring working class history to life in Ottawa.

"Galer procède à un examen dynamique de l’histoire du militantisme en faveur des droits des personnes ayant une incapacité au Canada..."

"Galer offer a dynamic examination of the history of disability rights activism in Canada and examines the various labour movements not for how they differed, but for how they related to each other...."

In February, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) launched its latest exhibit: Impressionism in the Age of Industry. The Impressionism in the Age of Industry exh...ibit offers a fascinating glimpse and snapshot during a particularly transformative time in French history. With its focus on workers on farms, in shops, the household, and in factories one message does clearly resonate: industry does not function without labour. Without worker power, the factories remain idle and the fields lay barren. In an era of continued attacks on labour by governments and business, this exhibit serves as an important reminder of where our collective power lays. The exhibit features a collection of over 120 pieces of artwork by a number of Impressionist artists including Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Georges Seurat, James Tissot, and Mary Cassatt.

Barb Stewart shown in picture with some of the safety equipment in the Museum's collection that we took to the PSAC NCR Health & Safety conference. I am holding a miner's breathing mask and a welder's mask.

Barb Stewart and Linda McLaren, members of the WHM Fundraising and Membership Committee, plus WHM member Sue Juneau have attended several events so far this year on behalf of the Museum. Thanks to the PSAC National Capital Region council, UTE Locals 70010 and 70001, the Union of Taxation Employees President's Conference, and the PSAC NCR Health & Safety Conference for having us at their events. Barb is attending the UTE Local 70004 Annual General Meeting tonight on behalf of the Museum. Lots more events planned for this year. Fundraising has been good at all events and we thank the attendees for their continued support.

Between 1976 and 1983 the Labour History Professional Specialist Association of the BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) amassed research and teaching tools on BC lab...our history. The documents have now been digitized and are available for download on our website. They are a treasure of resources for teachers and union educators. http://www.labourheritagecentre.ca/labour-history-psa/

In anticipation of the Winnipeg General Strike Centenary next month, we are releasing RRR19 by David Lester the GHC. The poster examines the strike's important lessons and legacy. Check out the full project: https://bit.ly/2Il2fMY

On this day in 1917 the Battle of Vimy Ridge began. WWI forever changed Canada. Some 630,000 enlisted from a nation of not yet 8 million, and over 66,000 died. Today we remember the 10,500+ Canadians killed or wounded at Vimy, Canada's most celebrated military victory:

A Labour Minute: The Parade of Concern The Sydney Steel Plant used coke, a coal by-product, to fuel its furnaces to smelt iron ore. On October 13, 1967, a day t...hat would become known as Black Friday, Hawker-Siddeley officially announced the closure of the plant, the city’s largest employer with almost 4,000 well-paying jobs. On November 19, 20,000 Cape Breteners descended on downtown Sydney for what was known as the Parade of Concern demanding that the government save the plant. On December 1, the provincial government announced a commitment to operate the Sydney Steel plant for up to 12 months until it could be resold. The province’s temporary commitment turned into 33 years. In 2001 it was sold to an Indian company who began dismantling the operations soon after. The long-term use of coke ovens at the plant created one of the most significant environmental hazards in Canada, the Sydney Tar Ponds. In 2004, the federal and provincial governments announced a 10-year, $400 million clean-up plan that was finally completed in 2013.

The WHM image archivist has been assembling a collection of images not available elsewhere to become a unique record of the lives and workplaces of workers. While yet to be officially launched, we are featuring here a Gallery of some of the more interesting ones, and the stories behind them. In coming months, we will add more, so do check in from time to time.

L’archiviste photographique du Musée de l’histoire ouvrière (MHO) a rassemblé une collection d’images uniques pour documenter la vie et les lieux de travail des travailleurs et des travailleuses. Bien que la collection n’ait pas encore été lancée officiellement, nous vous présentons quelques-unes des images qui ont le plus capté notre attention ainsi que l’histoire à l’origine de chacune d’elles. Au cours des prochains mois, nous ajouterons d’autres photos à la galerie, alors revenez y jeter un œil de temps à autre.

The Nine-Hour Movement In early 1872, workers in Hamilton began a movement demanding a nine-hour workday with no loss in pay. This movement quickly spread. Insp...ired by the Nine-Hour Movement, the Toronto Typographical Union (TTU) demanded a nine-hour workday from their master printers. This led to a strike that began on March 25. While the strike involved most Toronto newspapers, it was primarily focused on Liberal leader George Brown who owned the Globe. On April 15, a crowd of 10,000 demonstrated at Queen’s Park. The next day George Brown had TTU’s strike committee arrested for criminal conspiracy. Unions were illegal. To embarrass his political rival, Prime Minister John A. MacDonald introduced the Trade Union Act on April 18. The Act was passed on June 14 and officially gave Canadian workers the right to associate in trade unions. While the TTU workers were largely unsuccessful in their own quest for a nine-hour workday, most unions began to demand a shortened workday and it quickly became the standard.

The Winnipeg General Strike (1919) On May 15, 1919, the Winnipeg Trades and Labor Council called a general strike to demand collective bargaining, improved wage...s and better working conditions. By 11 AM, more than 30,000 workers had joined the strike, shutting down many of the city’s services. Some of Winnipeg’s influential manufacturers, bankers and politicians formed the Citizens’ Committee of 1,000 and discredited the strikers by labelling them alien scum and Bolsheviks. Fearing the strike could spread to other cities, the federal government quickly sided with the Citizens’ Committee. On June 17, 12 labour leaders were arrested. A crowd gathered in protest on June 21. The Royal Northwest Mounted Police charged into the crowd, beat the strikers with clubs and fired weapons. Two strikers were killed and more than 30 injured. The committee called an end to the strike on June 25. Seven of the strike leaders were convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the government. Many of the strikers were not allowed to return to their jobs and it would be another three decades before Canadian workers were granted collective bargaining rights.

Check out fab piece in the The Guardian on PHM's new exhibition Disrupt? Peterloo and Protest opening this Saturday 23 March. https://www.theguardian.com//peterloo-exhibition-targets-n

Left to right -- Barb Stewart (treasurer), David Yazbeck (institutional director), Doug Marshall (director), Wilbray Thiffault (director), Paul Harrison (secretary), Robert Hatfield (director), Richard Weintrager (institutional director), Bob Allen (vice-president) and Christine Goneau. Missing are Penny Bertrand and Phil Trottier (both directors).