INDUSTRIAL HAMILTON: A TRAIL TO THE FUTURE
The Stelco Strike of 1946

The Stelco strike of 1946 changed the face of labour relations at the company forever. To a lesser, yet still significant, extent, it coloured labour relations across the country.

On May 23, 1946, Hamilton Works employees (United Steelworkers of America, Local 1005) voted 3,114 to 80 in favour of possible strike action. Their demands, which the company refused to meet, were:

These demands were similar to those made by unions in other industries, and in the United States. In fact, the U.S. had just come out of a nationwide steel strike, and wages had been increased. Stelco management, however, was focussing on stability, and such concessions to the workers might jeopardize the company's chance to remain profitable after the war.

In anticipation of possible strike action, the Governor-General appointed a government controller to take authority of the three big companies (Stelco, Dofasco, Algoma). Any employee who refused to work was then disobeying the Government of Canada, and was liable to a fine or jail time. Workers who stayed, however, would be given a wage increase.1946picketssmall.jpg - 12897 Bytes

The strike (by this time illegal) was called on July 15, though picketing had already begun the day before. Striking workers from Stelco, Westinghouse, and Firestone gathered around the main entrance to Hamilton Works, Stelco's main plant, on Burlington Street.

The company continued to make iron with the group of workers who chose not to participate in the strike (the "insiders"). These insiders were given the 10 cent wage increase promised by the Governor-General, and were assured 24-hour pay for as long as they stayed in the building. Supplies were brought in via Lake Ontario, as no vehicle could make its way past the strikers at the front gates.

Frustrations turned to violence on several occasions. Bricks were thrown, and men were beaten. Only mail trucks, paramedics, and Controller Nora Frances Henderson were allowed to go through the picket line unbothered.

Public hearings before the House of Commons were held, where representatives of the company, the union, and the government, stated their cases. The House failed to satisfy either side.The Whisper Motor Launch (click for a closer look)

Not satisfied with denying access to vehicles from the front gates, the union set its sights on Lake Ontario. Strikers purchased a motor launch, called the "Whisper", and used it to chase after rowboats trying to deliver supplies.

On August 25, the OPP and RCMP were called in to maintain order.

On October 1, the company offered the union an increase of 13½ cents an hour. The next day, the offer was accepted, and by October 4, the pickets were disbanded.

Besides the wage increase, Local 1005 gained 2,000 more dues-paying members. It became one of the strongest and most powerful locals in any union. The era of authoritarianism was coming to an end. Workers would have more of a say about their role in the company.

References:

 

Home List E-mail