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PEOPLE & EVENTS > WORLD AT WAR > Winnipeg General Strike

What? • Occurred in 1919 as a result of worker unrest • On May 15, >30 000 workers walked out. They were policemen, nurses, garbage collectors, streetcar operators, firefighters, etc. • Workers protested for mainly 3 reasons: minimum wage, an 8 hour work day, and the right to bargain collectively for improved work conditions. Historical Significance • On Bloody Saturday, June 21, the strike elevated into violent protest from the peaceful objections that were originally intended. • On Bloody Saturday, a street car was knocked over and ignited by a riot. When the new 'special police' could not contain the crowd, the Mounted Police came and fired shots at the workers, killing 2 and injuring 30. • As a result, 10 strike leaders were arrested. • Ultimately, the strike was a failure, but managed to gained awareness to social and economic problems.

Bloody Tuesday Image Courtesy of CANPIX

Related Links • Canadian Heritage Gallery • Strike! • Winnipeg General Strike

PEOPLE & EVENTS > TURN OF THE CENTURY > Winnipeg General Strike > REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. How many workers walked out during the Winnipeg General Strike?
   
   1. under 10 000
   2. around 15 000
   3. around 20 000
   4. over 30 000




2. What were the main demands of the strike?
   
   1. the right to negotiate with the employer for better work conditions
   2. minimum wage structures
   3. an 8-hour day
   4. all of the above




3. What day during the strike, was a streetcar tipped over and set on fire?
   
   1. June 19, 1919
   2. Bloody Tuesday
   3. both 1 and 2
   4. none of the above




4. What was the outcome of the strike?
   
   
   1. the demands of the workers were all met
   2. the workers were given the right to bargain collectively
   3. the strike was a failure
   4. both 1 and 2

PAGE DEVELOPED BY: Miss Chong's Class: Kelly Lo, 2002