BIG STRIKE IN CANADA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 210, 30 May 1919, Page 5

BIG STRIKE IN CANADA

»— — INDUSTRIAL PARALYSIS AT WINNIPEG SOME RIOTING By Telegraph—Press Association- CoDjrisrht Winnipeg, May 15, (delayed). Industry in AVinnipcg (Manitoba) is at a standstill, as a general strike is in force in sympathy with the demands of thoi metal trades for union recognition. Some weeks ago these trades asked for higher wages, shorter hours, and recognition of the union. The companies refused the demands, but agreed to go to arbitration. The unions refused arbitration on the principle of collective bargaining, and the companies thereupon agreed to the demands for higher wnges and shorter hours, but refused to deal with any unions outside their own employees. ■ To-day a climax was reached. The street car employees, telephone, postal, an.d elevator staffs, thousands of clerks, stenographers, general workers, and firemen, enme out. Tho stcrebtypers and pressmen joined the strike, and tho newspapers suspended publication. The police ako walked out, but the strike committee .ordered them to resume duty to preserve order. Sufficient bakers were also retained to supply bread for the hospitals, while a citizens' committee manned the firo stations. Most of tho shops are closed, and others were not opened until they received permission from the strike leaders. The leaders claim that 26,000 workers have struck. The bread and milk depots were opened to relieve distress. A big. forcß of police was drafted in, and there was some rioting this morning, and a fewpeople wore injured. The Government employees in Manitoba are demanding, a fifty per cent, advance in wages—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ THE STRIKE SPREADS. Winnipeg, May 26. The strike has spread to Calgary and Edmonton (in Alberta), rikl Saskatoon (in Saskatchewan). Postal employees refused to obey a Goyernment order to resume work and volunteer postmen are delivering the mails.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

THREAT BY.THE LEADERS. . Toronto, May 27. The Labour leaders declare that fortyfive thousand members of fifty unions will strike on Wednesday unless the metal workers' demands are conceded — Realtor.