Thursday, June 4
Wednesday, 4 June 1919 - Strike May End Soon ?
Interesting item in today's Red Deer News. The sympathetic strike vote is taking a long time to organize. Why ? Many feel that the Winnipeg Strike will be settled very soon and by the time they organize, there will be nothing left to support.
Wednesday, 4 June 1919 - Anti-strike veterans
Preparing to march, June 4, 1919By this time the sight of 'pro-strike' veterans' daily marches to the legislature prompted those on the other side of the issue to mobilize. Today was one of the largest of the first 'anti-strike' marches by veterans.
Veterans reach city hallFor a good essay on the returning soldiers, including a summary of the 'pro-strike' and 'anti- strike' sides see Idionng's The Third Force: Returned Soldiers in the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 (it's also the image source for the 2 MB Archives photos above).
Wednesday, June 3
Tuesday, 3 June 1919 - Marches Get Larger
The daily parade of veterans to the Legislature continue:
On June 3 a parade formed again in Market Square, just behind the City Hall, but soon returned to nearby Victoria Park, where Roger E. Bray, a socialist who had become the spokesman for the returned soldiers, announced that the soldiers had met with the Premier also with unsatisfactory results.
source
source
As reported in the New York Times:
Premier Norris of Manitoba and his Cabinet were publicly called on to resign by speakers of the delegation of returned soldiers, strikers, and strike sympathizers, who took possession of the Provincial Legislative Chamber today for the third time
One paragraph in that article mentions that the protesters tore down the sign out front of the Board of Trade building:
Some fear, as mentioned in the Telegram's editorial yesterday, that as the crowds grow well into the thousands and the temperatures soar over 30 degrees that the "one fool" needed to start violence will be easier to come by.
Protesters outside Board of Trade Building, Main Street
Library and archives Canada ID 21834
One paragraph in that article mentions that the protesters tore down the sign out front of the Board of Trade building:
Some fear, as mentioned in the Telegram's editorial yesterday, that as the crowds grow well into the thousands and the temperatures soar over 30 degrees that the "one fool" needed to start violence will be easier to come by.
Protesters outside Board of Trade Building, Main StreetLibrary and archives Canada ID 21834
Tuesday, 3 June 1919 - The Newsstand
Western Labor News June 3, 1919
- Declares that Soldiers Mean Business and provides details from yesterday's meeting with the Premier.
- Draft Shakespeare into the movement !
Winnipeg Citizen June 3, 1919
Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition June 3, 1919
- The Police Commission removes the ultimatum issued to former and new police officers that if that if they do not return to work and / or sign a pledge never to participate in a sympathetic strike (including this one) that they will be dismissed
- Vancouver strikes in sympathy with Winnipeg.
- The following ad appears from the 1000:
- Declares that Soldiers Mean Business and provides details from yesterday's meeting with the Premier.
- Draft Shakespeare into the movement !
Winnipeg Citizen June 3, 1919
Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition June 3, 1919
- The Police Commission removes the ultimatum issued to former and new police officers that if that if they do not return to work and / or sign a pledge never to participate in a sympathetic strike (including this one) that they will be dismissed
- Vancouver strikes in sympathy with Winnipeg.
- The following ad appears from the 1000:
Tuesday, June 2
Monday, 2 June 1919 - The Newsstand
Western Labor News June 2, 1919
- Appear buoyed by the veteran strikers
-Today's meetings
Winnipeg Citizen June 2, 1919
- An angry story entitled "They shall be known by their acts" takes up the entire front page, lashing out at the labour movement, including strikers and the Labor News.
Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition June 2, 1919
- Report that 10,000 veteran strikers converged on the Legislature this morning to visit Premier Norris. Led by A.E. Bray they present a petition to Norris demanding: compulsive collective bargaining; withdrawal of ultimatum to Winnipeg Police Force (to return and swear never to participate in a strike); the reinstatement of all provincial workers without discrimination. If he fails to meet these demands, they will call on the government to resign.
- Report that mass meetings and marches are becoming more unruly and "requires only one fool" within the crowd to trigger violence.
- Appear buoyed by the veteran strikers
-Today's meetings
Winnipeg Citizen June 2, 1919- An angry story entitled "They shall be known by their acts" takes up the entire front page, lashing out at the labour movement, including strikers and the Labor News.
Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition June 2, 1919
- Report that 10,000 veteran strikers converged on the Legislature this morning to visit Premier Norris. Led by A.E. Bray they present a petition to Norris demanding: compulsive collective bargaining; withdrawal of ultimatum to Winnipeg Police Force (to return and swear never to participate in a strike); the reinstatement of all provincial workers without discrimination. If he fails to meet these demands, they will call on the government to resign.
- Report that mass meetings and marches are becoming more unruly and "requires only one fool" within the crowd to trigger violence.
Sunday, May 31
Saturday, 31 May 1919 - Moose Jaw
May 31, 1919 - A member of the executive of the Citizens' Committee of One Thousand delivers an address in Moose Jaw, a city in the midst of its own sympathetic general strike. The discussion was about the inner workings of the "1000" - how it was established and why.
He reiterated that the main purpose of the committee was to keep essential services going, he certainly does not hide his disdain for the strikers and the strike committee:
Above: A transcript of the speech was published as "An address on the subject of the Winnipeg strike, May-June, 1919: Delivered by a member of the Citizens' Committee of One Thousand to a deputation of citizens from Moose Jaw, Sask.: With especial reference to the enunciation therein contained upon the principles of 'collective bargaining'". Full text.
He reiterated that the main purpose of the committee was to keep essential services going, he certainly does not hide his disdain for the strikers and the strike committee:
Above: A transcript of the speech was published as "An address on the subject of the Winnipeg strike, May-June, 1919: Delivered by a member of the Citizens' Committee of One Thousand to a deputation of citizens from Moose Jaw, Sask.: With especial reference to the enunciation therein contained upon the principles of 'collective bargaining'". Full text.
Saturday, 31 May 1919 - The Newsstand
Western Labor News May 31, 1919
Winnipeg Citizen May 31, 1919
Winnipeg Citizen May 31, 1919
Saturday, May 30
Friday, 30 May - The Newsstand
Western Labor News May 30, 1919
Winnipeg Citizen May 30, 1919
Friday, 30 May 1919 - Veterans Speak
Returning veterans have been holding daily demonstrations of their own. Today a march of 4,000 calling for a peaceful end to the strike, including the abolition of the Committee of 1000 and a withdrawal of the ultimatum to the police that they sign pledge to never join a union or be dismissed. When the march reaches the Legislature, 2000 of the men enter the building demanding to see Premier Norris. Source.
See Telegram: "Soldier strikers in Ugly Mood Today"
See Telegram: "Soldier strikers in Ugly Mood Today"
Friday, May 29
Thursday, 29 May 1919 - The Newsstand
On today's newsstand: The Western Labor News asks What is a Living Wage ? while the Winnipeg Citizen claims that thousands of workers were tricked into striking by Bolsheviks.
The Winnipeg
The Trib and Telegram lay out their news policies during the strike.
The Trib and Telegram lay out their news policies during the strike.
Thursday, May 28
Wednesday, 28 May 1919 - The Newsstand
Western Labor News
Perhaps having two competitors this week has put the Citizen on the defensive. Front page items today include a long article about why they choose to strike and another proclaiming that "95% of people" support the workers.
Winnipeg Citizen
An open letter to the Citizens of Winnipeg
- Reports that the Committee of 1000 is signing up volunteers to perfrom duties such as garbage collection
Perhaps having two competitors this week has put the Citizen on the defensive. Front page items today include a long article about why they choose to strike and another proclaiming that "95% of people" support the workers.
Winnipeg Citizen
An open letter to the Citizens of Winnipeg
- Reports that the Committee of 1000 is signing up volunteers to perfrom duties such as garbage collection
Wednesday, May 27
Tuesday, 27 May 1919 - The Newsstand Grows
There's a new, old paper on the newsstands today: The Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition !
Though anti-strike, the paper is not just strike news. It's a smaller version of the regular Telegraph with local and international news, wire features, sports and entertainment. Just like the Winnipeg Free Press, which is also publishing again*.
Western Labor News
Winnipeg Citizen
Winnipeg
*The Winnipeg Free Press also resumed publishing but it's archives are behind a subscription wall so I cannot link to them on a daily basis.
Today, though, they reported on the decision by city council to fire striking city workers. Notices to fill positions are to be readied. Strikers can reapply for their old jobs but would have to denounce the strike.
Though anti-strike, the paper is not just strike news. It's a smaller version of the regular Telegraph with local and international news, wire features, sports and entertainment. Just like the Winnipeg Free Press, which is also publishing again*.
Western Labor News
Winnipeg Citizen
Winnipeg
*The Winnipeg Free Press also resumed publishing but it's archives are behind a subscription wall so I cannot link to them on a daily basis.
Today, though, they reported on the decision by city council to fire striking city workers. Notices to fill positions are to be readied. Strikers can reapply for their old jobs but would have to denounce the strike.
Tuesday, 27 May 1919
The scope of the strike widens as more cities take sympathetic strike votes.
It was also receiving increased international attention, written extensively in publications like the New York Times. Today's story (pdf):
It was also receiving increased international attention, written extensively in publications like the New York Times. Today's story (pdf):
Tuesday, May 26
Monday, 26 May 1919
The Post Office ultimatum has come and past. Of the hundreds of postal workers on strike only 16 return to work (source). A moral victory for the strikers.
Monday, 26 May 1919 - Hot in the City
Adding to to the tensions, the last week of May 1919 is unseasonably hot. From May 24 to 30 highs are at or above 30 degrees.
Monday, May 25
Sunday, 25 May 1919 - Postal Deadline
Sundays are a day for family. Even during the strike the respective propaganda newspapers took the day off.
Seven thousand workers show up for an evening gathering at Victoria Park. Some may have come to enjoy the cool breeze off the river on a 30 degree day but others came bearing news of an employer's ultimatum.
The Post Office has told it's workers that if they don't show up for work tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. they are terminated, along with any pension they may have earned (source).
Main Post Office, Portage and Garry
Seven thousand workers show up for an evening gathering at Victoria Park. Some may have come to enjoy the cool breeze off the river on a 30 degree day but others came bearing news of an employer's ultimatum.
The Post Office has told it's workers that if they don't show up for work tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. they are terminated, along with any pension they may have earned (source).
Main Post Office, Portage and GarrySunday, May 24
Saturday, 24 May 1919 - The Newsstand
Today's Winnipeg Citizen headline: Strike Unjustified; Citizens Must Stand firm
The Citizen is paraphrasing Arthur Meighan, Manitoba M.P. and federal Minister of the Interior, who is in Winnipeg. The citizen quotes him as saying "It is up to the citizens of Winnipeg to stand firm and resist efforts made here to overturn proper authority"
The Western Labor News of May 24, 1919 tells strikers "Don't worry and don't work."
The Citizen is paraphrasing Arthur Meighan, Manitoba M.P. and federal Minister of the Interior, who is in Winnipeg. The citizen quotes him as saying "It is up to the citizens of Winnipeg to stand firm and resist efforts made here to overturn proper authority"
The Western Labor News of May 24, 1919 tells strikers "Don't worry and don't work."
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