By Scott Price
The Winnipeg General strike of 1919 was a landmark event in North American Working Class history. In May and June of that year some 35,000 workers ceased work for six weeks provoked by inequalities of industrial capitalism, the authoritarianism of their workplaces, the brutal experiences of the First World War, rising prices and stagnating wages. Workers in Winnipeg stood together in an astounding display of unity and solidarity under the threat of blacklisting and violence from the authorities.
The Winnipeg General strike of 1919 was more than a six week strike in one city it was an event with national and international reverberations. Sympathy strikes were organized across Canada, but the strike was also a part of a much broader movement of strikes across the United States and Britain. This wellspring of working class militant action was itself inspired by the possibilities of the Russian revolution of 1917.
Inspired by the 1919 Winnipeg Strike, the conference will not only look at events of 100 years ago, but will also examine the ways in which those struggles continue today. A century later, as we desire to understand and commemorate these events we can’t help but be struck by the continuities; the fight for a better life, solidarity across borders, building a working class alternative.
We invite anyone interested in exploring the fight for a living wage, the challenges of building and maintaining solidarity, and the ways in which the labour movement can serve as an effective alternative to neoliberal capitalism to participate in the conference. We invite a range of scholars, trade unionists, social activists to share their knowledge and experience.
The deadline for papers, presentations, roundtables is February the 28th 2018.
All Proposals must include:
- Presentation title
- A 100-200 word outline of the presentation
- A 100-200 word biography. These must include (if applicable) a list publications, activities, and a list of positions relevant to this event.
This information is essential to assisting the organizers in soliciting funding to support travel and other workshop costs.
Please email this information in a word document to the programming committee: 1919strikeconference@brandonu.ca
You can get more info on our website or our Facebook page.