Реферат: Winnipeg General Strike Essay Research Paper The
Название: Winnipeg General Strike Essay Research Paper The Раздел: Топики по английскому языку Тип: реферат |
Winnipeg General Strike Essay, Research Paper The Work Revolution Strike During June 1919, a strike took place that revolutionized unions and the working place today. The Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 that took place in Winnipeg was fought between the WTLC (Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council) and the high-payed employers and government. The workers of Winnipeg struck for better working conditions, better pay, and shorter working hours. Little did they know that this strike would lead to total chaos in the city of Winnipeg. The WTLC had to fight with not only the provincial government and employers, but also the military, RCMP and the federal government. They were greatly out numbered in this strike, but stood strong in their beliefs and carried on for 6 weeks until the strike was over. The workers were justified in going on strike and because of this, created a revolution. Trying to get the employers and government to listen to the WTLC’s demands was hard. Every attempt made was shut down by the rich, powerful people of business. The workers on strike took force into the streets. Police were not enough to control these angry people, so the government called in the Military and RCMP. The WTLC and workers had almost no power at all compared to the Military and RCMP, making this an unfair fight. Even though this was realized by many, the strike went on and took charge in greater lengths then before. On one day, the strike was brought to the main street of Winnipeg. Everyone was there, causing great disturbance trying to get their demands met. The RCMP rushed into the croud on horseback with baseball bats and started swinging, hitting many people causing injury. One officer was pulled down and beaten badly. When news of this reached the other officers, they open fired on the crowd with machine guns. They killed one man and injured 30 others. This was known as “Bloody Saturday”. This was an unfair fight not only because of the power situation, but also the guns and authority which the WTLC’s opponents had. The WTLC also had its strengths as well. It had the support of all the people of Winnipeg and across the nation. In other cities, sympathy strikes took place. The WTLC had every right to go on strike. The working conditions at the time were horrible. The pay and wages were downright despicable and the working hours were absolutely unimaginable. The only way to improve these things was to strike since previous methods were not successful. Examples of working conditions at the time were poor, unsafe and many had been injured at the workplace, some even died. It was also not well lit, so completing tasks were almost impossible. In the summer time, the work place was hot and unbearable. For these reasons, the workers were justified in going on strike. It was about time that wages and conditions were improved. Workers tried to compromise with their employers, but all attempts at it failed miserably. A strike was an effective means of getting what workers wanted. A strike gave the workers hope and something to look forward to. In conclusion, the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 fought between the WTLC and its opponents was well justified. They had every right to strike for better working conditions, hours and wages. The WTLC was justified to strike, but the strike that took place was unfair. WTLC had the military and federal police to use force to back the opponents up. The WTLC only had the people and their word. Even though the WTLC and workers lost the strike, they created a revolution. They would change the work place for the better. They would make better wages and better working hours. If it wasn’t for this enormous strike, who knows how work in general would be in terms of conditions and even how it would be perceived. |