may 15, 1919 - Winnipeg General Strike

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The Winnipeg General Strike was the largest strike in Canadian history. " Between 15 May and 25 June 1919, more than 30,000 workers left their jobs. Factories, shops, transit and city services shut down" (Canadian Encyclopedia). It did not immediately succeed in empowering workers and improving job conditions. But the strike did help unite the working class in Canada. Some of the participants of the strike helped find the NDP(New Democratic Party) we see today. After WW1, many Canadian workers struggled to make ends while employers progressed their businesses. The general strike sparked more unionism and activism. Workers from all over Canada, walked out in support of the Winnipeg strikers. For example, Canadian-born workers walked out with immigrants from Britain and mainland Europe. In conclusion, Winnipeg's General Strike has helped to create the worker unions we see today. Back in 1919, this was a major time of progress for the working-class.

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