The Radical Alien and the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919

As a consequence , the metal workers moved for a strike by the beginning of May . The move quickly caught the attention and sympathy of the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council or WTLC , which was the umbrella organization of all local labor groups . The WTLC members unanimously endorsed the plight of the metal workers and eventually called for a nationwide strike on May 15 . It brought Canada to witness the biggest strike over an industrial conflict with such magnitude compassing almost 30 ,000 workers- most of them were strategically and locally positioned at

the center of the economy

The strike was opposed by politicians and the business class , and was considered by some as the product of the radical aliens who wanted to undermine and cause restlessness to political and social values . It was perceived as a conspiracy aimed to dismantle the foundation of the nation To counter act the strike , they created a committee of One Thousand to restore the and challenge the strikers : such as dismissing the police force who joined the strike and recruiting a special 2 ,000- man force to eradicate the strike . The federal government also acted on deporting British -born strike leaders through the Immigration Act . It was a big event in such a way the activity went on national and international news

During the six-week strike , several leaders of the Central Strike Committee were apprehended and jailed outside the city . This made the WTLC furious and defied the ban on conducting parades . The members actually protested in front of the city hall wherein they were dispersed by the federal troops and the Royal Northwest Mounted Police . According to Radforth , the result was catastrophic for hundreds of protesters were injured and one striker died . The event was termed Bloody Saturday ' 1

The strike was officially...