May 7, 2019 at 2:15 PM
This year 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919, where over 25,000 workers from the private and public sectors walked off the job in support for better wages, working and social conditions. The strike was a huge moment in the history of the labour movement in Canada and around the world.
It started in Winnipeg, where 500 female telephone operators were the first to walk off the job, followed by the City’s transport workers, and returning war veterans. Solidarity strikes soon spread across the country. Although many of these strikes were brutally suppressed, the solidarity among the workers was unstoppable.
We have come a long way over the past 100 years. However, as in 1919; we continue to see a world of increasing inequality, degradation, and exploitation. We must continue not to be complacent.
As Airport workers from around the world gathered for the International Workers’ Day (May Day) on May 1
st, 2019, we honor these brave strikers for giving us our hard-fought rights. It is because of their sacrifices that we are able to fight for our members and continue their collective demand for a better future for everyone. Together, we can change our world for the better.
For more information on the Winnipeg General Strike –
please click here for more details.