Introduction

The Onset

The Chinese Strikebreakers

Imported Strikebreakers

Traitors

The Fallout

Imported Strikebreakers

Several weeks into the strike, it became apparent that the "holiday" and lockout was going to last a long time. The UMWA was willing to spend most of its reserve funds, paying each striker four dollars a week or more for those with wives and children, until the coal companies recognized the union.¹⁰ The companies were ready to lose much revenue rather than speak to union representatives. Neither the BC nor federal governments would intervene to bring an end to the strike, except to send in special police, and later, militia to "preserve order."

The coal companies were able to prolong the strike in their favor by importing strikebreakers. Before May 1913, Canadian Collieries had tried to supplement workers who remained on the job with imported labourers, but with little success.¹¹  

After the UMWA issued a general strike call on May 1, placing all of its Vancouver Island members on strike, the coal companies stepped up their campaign. They recruited workers from the prairies, Britain, the United States, and later, Vancouver and Victoria.¹² At times during the general strike, their mines operated at full capacity. In 1913 and 1914, they produced roughly one million tons of coal each year, about two thirds as much as in 1912.¹³

The immigrants were usually not informed that a strike was taking place on Vancouver Island until they arrived. Some turned back as soon as they heard the news, but others continued on, doing their best to tolerate the censure in the mining communities.¹⁴

Like other strikebreakers, the immigrants confronted angry protestors who sometime resorted to violence and vandalism in the streets, on their way to and from work and at home when they were trying to sleep.

"Ladysmith Coal Miners, CA. 1910" BCARS E-01202

Imported workers were sent to live in company homes originally built for the mining families who now demonstrated.¹⁵ Canadian Collieries had forced its striking miners and their families out of their homes.

Since there were no other residences in the mining communities, the strikers had to set up tents or build makeshift houses.¹⁶ Suffering strikers must have resented the imported workers even more for moving into their former homes.

"Cumberland Miners Homes, 1910's" BCARS E-03436

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