BC Labour Heritage Centre
@bclhc.bsky.social
Working people and their unions in BC. https://www.labourheritagecentre.ca
Reposted by BC Labour Heritage Centre
# History Three more early films have been posted, all from British Columbia. Visit and enjoy! The Moving Past, www.themovingpast.com
Archival films made between 1918 and 1930, about life, work and technology from a century ago. Access is free, donations are appreciated. Thank you, David
Archival films made between 1918 and 1930, about life, work and technology from a century ago. Access is free, donations are appreciated. Thank you, David
The Moving Past | A Collection of Archival Films
Explore Canadian archival films (1918-1929) and the Ontario Motion Picture Bureau's role in shaping cultural history. Discover how these films influenced public perceptions and complement other primar...
www.themovingpast.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:08 PM
# History Three more early films have been posted, all from British Columbia. Visit and enjoy! The Moving Past, www.themovingpast.com
Archival films made between 1918 and 1930, about life, work and technology from a century ago. Access is free, donations are appreciated. Thank you, David
Archival films made between 1918 and 1930, about life, work and technology from a century ago. Access is free, donations are appreciated. Thank you, David
Learn about the women in Okanagan fruit packing plants where long hours, low pay, occupational disease and accidents pushed them to unionize. The December newsletter is here. mailchi.mp/labourherita... 🍎💪
December 4, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Learn about the women in Okanagan fruit packing plants where long hours, low pay, occupational disease and accidents pushed them to unionize. The December newsletter is here. mailchi.mp/labourherita... 🍎💪
Meet Alma Faulds and Lydia Bastion, women who built union solidarity in the bountiful fruit packing plants of BC's Okanagan Valley. www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
Ep.33 - Apple Box Belles - On the Line: Stories of BC Workers
The hard-working women in the Okanagan Valley's bountiful fruit packing plants from the 1920s to the 1970s became known as the “Apple Box Belles”. While much has been written about Okanagan fruit-grow...
www.buzzsprout.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Meet Alma Faulds and Lydia Bastion, women who built union solidarity in the bountiful fruit packing plants of BC's Okanagan Valley. www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
The day Led Zeppelin became part of the union. Learn about the historic 1975 Led Zeppelin rock concert co-sponsored by striking CUPE union members at a Vancouver radio station. Welcome back, Robert Plant! www.labourheritagecentre.ca/collection/t...
November 19, 2025 at 12:16 AM
The day Led Zeppelin became part of the union. Learn about the historic 1975 Led Zeppelin rock concert co-sponsored by striking CUPE union members at a Vancouver radio station. Welcome back, Robert Plant! www.labourheritagecentre.ca/collection/t...
Show support for the original fighters against fascism. Organizers of the Mac-Pap Tribute are asking for volunteers to visit the graves of veterans around BC in the days leading up to November 11. If you can help please send an email to macpaptribute@gmail.com with your location.
November 5, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Show support for the original fighters against fascism. Organizers of the Mac-Pap Tribute are asking for volunteers to visit the graves of veterans around BC in the days leading up to November 11. If you can help please send an email to macpaptribute@gmail.com with your location.
Read about the beloved Black pioneer Abe Mortimer, lumber worker, union man, athlete, soldier, storyteller, and Hall of Famer. www.labourheritagecentre.ca/collection/a...
Abe Mortimer: Black athlete, storyteller | Article
Learn about the beloved Black pioneer Abe Mortimer, lumber worker, union man, athlete, soldier, storyteller, and Hall of Famer.
www.labourheritagecentre.ca
October 30, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Read about the beloved Black pioneer Abe Mortimer, lumber worker, union man, athlete, soldier, storyteller, and Hall of Famer. www.labourheritagecentre.ca/collection/a...
October 24, 2005, BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) ended their two-week strike that defied a back-to-work order. Other unions, including CUPE school support workers, had walked off in sympathy. Mediator Vince Ready's recommendations were enough to end the impasse. Joshua Berson photos.
October 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
October 24, 2005, BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) ended their two-week strike that defied a back-to-work order. Other unions, including CUPE school support workers, had walked off in sympathy. Mediator Vince Ready's recommendations were enough to end the impasse. Joshua Berson photos.
Reposted by BC Labour Heritage Centre
"Your ability to survive as a worker is through the union. There's no other way." - Vince Ready, miner, union organizer and renowned mediator.
New to the Oral History Collection. Find it at https://buff.ly/4ghTIqx
New to the Oral History Collection. Find it at https://buff.ly/4ghTIqx
December 20, 2024 at 6:18 PM
"Your ability to survive as a worker is through the union. There's no other way." - Vince Ready, miner, union organizer and renowned mediator.
New to the Oral History Collection. Find it at https://buff.ly/4ghTIqx
New to the Oral History Collection. Find it at https://buff.ly/4ghTIqx
The Trade Union Research Bureau was a singular organization in BC, opening its doors in 1945 with roots back to 1920. Created by Bert Marcuse, Eric Bee, and Emil Bjarnason, TURB provided research and advocacy. Fred Wilson worked at the TURB in the 90s. www.labourheritagecentre.ca/.../fred-wil...
Interview: Fred Wilson, Creation of Unifor | Video
Fred played an active role in the anti-globalization movement. He tells the story of the New Union Project and his role in it, which created the Unifor, largest private sector union in Canada, from…
www.labourheritagecentre.ca
October 18, 2025 at 12:41 AM
The Trade Union Research Bureau was a singular organization in BC, opening its doors in 1945 with roots back to 1920. Created by Bert Marcuse, Eric Bee, and Emil Bjarnason, TURB provided research and advocacy. Fred Wilson worked at the TURB in the 90s. www.labourheritagecentre.ca/.../fred-wil...
On Thanksgiving, October 14, 1975, fretting over sky-high inflation and soaring wage increases, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau announced Canada’s first peacetime wage controls. www.labourheritagecentre.ca/collection/o...
Out to Fight Controls | Article
Read about the one-day national general strike in 1976 when a million workers brought the country to a standstill.
www.labourheritagecentre.ca
October 13, 2025 at 8:55 PM
On Thanksgiving, October 14, 1975, fretting over sky-high inflation and soaring wage increases, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau announced Canada’s first peacetime wage controls. www.labourheritagecentre.ca/collection/o...
October 7, 1977 BC ferry workers defied a government-imposed cooling-off period and went on strike against the 'new' BC Ferries Corporation. The workers stayed out until they had an acceptable negotiating process in place. 1/2
October 7, 2025 at 11:37 PM
October 7, 1977 BC ferry workers defied a government-imposed cooling-off period and went on strike against the 'new' BC Ferries Corporation. The workers stayed out until they had an acceptable negotiating process in place. 1/2
Go behind the seams of Vancouver's garment industry! Join the "Lunch and Learn" Thursday, October 9. The October newsletter has all the goods on sweatshops and radical journalism. mailchi.mp/labourherita...
October 2, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Go behind the seams of Vancouver's garment industry! Join the "Lunch and Learn" Thursday, October 9. The October newsletter has all the goods on sweatshops and radical journalism. mailchi.mp/labourherita...
The cast of "plain, simple, common, ordinary everyday men and women who work hard for their living" were unionized garment workers from New York. 'Pins and Needles' received glowing reviews when this musical was performed in Vancouver in 1938.
www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
Episode 10: 'Pins & Needles' - A 1930's Garment Workers' Musical - On the Line: Stories of BC Workers
In September 1938, the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) brought their theatrical musical hit “Pins and Needles” to Vancouver, BC, where it played to glowing reviews. Among the…
www.buzzsprout.com
September 28, 2025 at 10:32 PM
The cast of "plain, simple, common, ordinary everyday men and women who work hard for their living" were unionized garment workers from New York. 'Pins and Needles' received glowing reviews when this musical was performed in Vancouver in 1938.
www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
Vancouver is not known today for its garment industry but some prominent factories (staffed largely by women), put the city on the map in the early part of the 20th century.
www.tickettailor.com/events/vanco...
www.tickettailor.com/events/vanco...
September 25, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Vancouver is not known today for its garment industry but some prominent factories (staffed largely by women), put the city on the map in the early part of the 20th century.
www.tickettailor.com/events/vanco...
www.tickettailor.com/events/vanco...
An unsung hero of this province's early labour movement, socialist coal miner Joe Naylor took Ginger Goodwin under his wing and the two became fast friends. www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
Episode 1: Joe Naylor - On the Line: Stories of BC Workers
At the annual Miners Memorial Weekend held in Cumberland, British Columbia each June, participants lay roses at the grave of the famous labour martyr Ginger Goodwin. Nearby his distinctive headstone,…
www.buzzsprout.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:30 AM
An unsung hero of this province's early labour movement, socialist coal miner Joe Naylor took Ginger Goodwin under his wing and the two became fast friends. www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
"NO MEAT, NO WORK" With three large packinghouses on strike in September 1947, the Woodworkers and Mine-Mill unions warned that if the strike wasn't resolved, logging and mining camps couldn't operate.
The strike was ended after a few tense weeks. The workers won an 11% raise.
The strike was ended after a few tense weeks. The workers won an 11% raise.
September 11, 2025 at 6:12 PM
"NO MEAT, NO WORK" With three large packinghouses on strike in September 1947, the Woodworkers and Mine-Mill unions warned that if the strike wasn't resolved, logging and mining camps couldn't operate.
The strike was ended after a few tense weeks. The workers won an 11% raise.
The strike was ended after a few tense weeks. The workers won an 11% raise.
During a strike almost 100 years ago at Fraser Mills, French Canadian, British, Scandinavian, Japanese, Chinese, and South Asian sawmill workers showed unprecedented solidarity in the face of overwhelming odds, winning some, but not all, their demands. www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
Episode 2: The 1931 Fraser Mills Strike - On the Line: Stories of BC Workers
Nearly 90 years ago, in the dark years of the Great Depression, union membership and the number of strikes in B.C. fell dramatically; but every now and then, against all odds, workers took a stand. It...
www.buzzsprout.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:09 AM
During a strike almost 100 years ago at Fraser Mills, French Canadian, British, Scandinavian, Japanese, Chinese, and South Asian sawmill workers showed unprecedented solidarity in the face of overwhelming odds, winning some, but not all, their demands. www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
Four great reads for your autumn bookshelf.
September 7, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Four great reads for your autumn bookshelf.
Occupational diseases from hazardous workplace conditions have claimed a terrible toll. In 1956, Bea Zucco fought for (and won) WCB benefits for her hardrock miner husband who was stricken with silicosis. www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
Episode 7: Bea Zucco's Fight for Silicosis Compensation - On the Line: Stories of BC Workers
April 28th marks Canada's annual Day of Mourning. Of course, industrial accidents are not the only risk workers face; occupational diseases, brought on by hazardous workplace conditions, have also…
www.buzzsprout.com
September 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Occupational diseases from hazardous workplace conditions have claimed a terrible toll. In 1956, Bea Zucco fought for (and won) WCB benefits for her hardrock miner husband who was stricken with silicosis. www.buzzsprout.com/1312528/epis...
Former BCGEU President Stephanie Smith wanted people to say 'my union' not 'the union,' like it was something completely separate from them." She talks about this, as well as organizing, bargaining, and COVID-19.
See the whole interview here: vimeo.com/StephanieSmith
See the whole interview here: vimeo.com/StephanieSmith
September 4, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Former BCGEU President Stephanie Smith wanted people to say 'my union' not 'the union,' like it was something completely separate from them." She talks about this, as well as organizing, bargaining, and COVID-19.
See the whole interview here: vimeo.com/StephanieSmith
See the whole interview here: vimeo.com/StephanieSmith
As the Ironworkers bridge collapsed around him, Ken Johnstone kept working. Read his story and more BC labour history in today's newsletter. mailchi.mp/labourherita...
September 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM
As the Ironworkers bridge collapsed around him, Ken Johnstone kept working. Read his story and more BC labour history in today's newsletter. mailchi.mp/labourherita...
Reposted by BC Labour Heritage Centre
In the extensive media coverage that followed the tragedy of the Ironworkers bridge collapse, Ken Johnstone’s name is mentioned only once.
He was praised for being “directly responsible for saving three men.” Elsewhere he is identified only as “the boatman.” 🛶
He was praised for being “directly responsible for saving three men.” Elsewhere he is identified only as “the boatman.” 🛶
The Man in the Boat | The Tyee
As the Ironworkers bridge collapsed around him, Ken Johnstone stayed on the job and saved lives.
thetyee.ca
September 2, 2025 at 2:41 PM
In the extensive media coverage that followed the tragedy of the Ironworkers bridge collapse, Ken Johnstone’s name is mentioned only once.
He was praised for being “directly responsible for saving three men.” Elsewhere he is identified only as “the boatman.” 🛶
He was praised for being “directly responsible for saving three men.” Elsewhere he is identified only as “the boatman.” 🛶
The Canadian Farmworkers Union was as much a social movement as a union. The historic founding convention took place on April 6th, 1980. It was a joyous occasion.Ten days later, bat-wielding thugs attacked the Vice President's home.
Episode 18: How Many Deaths Will It Take? Remembering the Canadian Farmworkers Union - On the Line: Stories of BC Workers
This is the inspiring tale of a group of dedicated individuals who took up the cause of BC’s Fraser Valley Farmworkers who toiled in dreadful, unregulated conditions in the 1970s and ‘80s. It is a…
www.buzzsprout.com
September 3, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The Canadian Farmworkers Union was as much a social movement as a union. The historic founding convention took place on April 6th, 1980. It was a joyous occasion.Ten days later, bat-wielding thugs attacked the Vice President's home.
The Man in the Boat via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...
The Man in the Boat | The Tyee
As the Ironworkers bridge collapsed around him, Ken Johnstone stayed on the job and saved lives.
thetyee.ca
September 1, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The Man in the Boat via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...