Vol. 76/No. 24 June 18, 2012
June 19, 1987
VANCOUVER, British Columbia—A massive one-day protest strike June 1 paralyzed British Columbia, Canada’s most western province. Some 350,000 unionists participated in the action against two antiunion laws that are being rammed through the BC provincial legislature.Bill 19 would establish a government commission with virtually unlimited powers to bust unions and break strikes. Right-to-work clauses would open closed shops, gut seniority provisions in contracts, and provide special privileges to nonunion workers. Strikers could be ordered back to work anytime it is deemed “in the public interest.”
The one-day action came on the heels of a victorious 17-week strike by the wood workers’ union against a concession contract. Most people interviewed by the Militant felt that the antiunion legislation was designed to prevent another labor victory.
June 18, 1962
NEW HAVEN, Conn.—With 3,000 pickets covering every gate but one at the Winchester division of the huge Olin Mathiessen Company, this city is awakening to the power of its workers. Production of the Army’s new M-14 rifles has been stopped; also shut down are departments producing sporting arms, ammunition and the Ramset fastening tool.Local 609 of the International Association of Machinists began negotiations for a new contract in March but for 20 wearying sessions the company offered the union only a cent-an-hour fringe benefit. The strike’s main issue is job security. A special Strike Relief fund has been set up to appeal to other unions.
About 1,200 of the striking workers are Negroes. A win would establish the idea of unity and integration between black and white workers in a common struggle against exploitation and for mutual improvement.
May 1, 1937
Over in St. Paul [Minn.] a group of people labeling themselves the “People’s Lobby” descended upon the state capitol. While the People’s Lobby were beseeching senators and representatives, the Federal Workers Section of Local 544, a real bona fide organization of the working class, was engaged in a different and more worthwhile enterprise. The organization, recognizing the futility of attempting to bring about real lasting economic reforms for the workers through the medium of legislation, had long before started a campaign aimed toward putting more food in the mouths of W.P.A. workers, more clothes on their backs.While the People’s Lobby sipped coffee and munched cake in the luxurious senate chamber, the Federal Workers Section was making a demand of the Welfare Board that supplemental aid in the form of more food be given W.P.A. workers who labor at $60.50 a month.
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