The David Yorke Labour History Collection: BC-Related Union Materials

The David Yorke Labour History Collection: BC-Related Union Materials is part of a larger collection that documents labour history across Canada and internationally. This sub-collection features dues buttons, delegate badges, convention ribbons, membership pins, agendas, photographs, constitutions, dues receipts, correspondence, pamphlets, and periodicals specifically related to labour unions in British Columbia. This content provides an emblematic history of local provincial organizations and illustrates the evolution of the provincial labour movement across the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As the country, workforce, and economy grew, workers increasingly chose to align themselves with larger national unions.

The David Yorke Labour History Collection: BC-Related Union Materials is part of a larger collection that documents labour history across Canada and internationally. This sub-collection features dues buttons, delegate badges, convention ribbons, membership pins, agendas, photographs, constitutions, dues receipts, correspondence, pamphlets, and periodicals specifically related to labour unions in British Columbia. This content provides an emblematic history of local provincial organizations and illustrates the evolution of the provincial labour movement across the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As the country, workforce, and economy grew, workers increasingly chose to align themselves with larger national unions.

Highlights

The David Yorke Labour History Collection: BC-Related Union Materials includes unions related to the province’s major industries—BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union, BC Electric Office Employees’ Association, BC Fruit and Vegetable Workers’ Union, and BC Loggers Union. Large public sector unions such as the British Columbia Government Employees Union, BC Teachers Federation, and BC Nurses Union are also represented. The BC Federation of Labour which played an active role in organizing and strike support, education, and campaigns on social issues and labour standards protection is also included. This content offers insight into the political and sociocultural landscape of British Columbia and illustrates the contribution of labour unions to the improvement of workers’ everyday lives. Researchers will be able to trace how local provincial organizations positioned themselves against or in collaboration with other provincial, national, and international labour organizations.

Copyright and Terms of use

  • This work is protected by copyright in Canada unless its copyright has expired. The user is responsible for doing their own assessment.
  • You may use this work as permitted by applicable licenses, fair dealing, and other exceptions under copyright legislation in your jurisdiction. For guidance on seeking further permissions, contact SFU Special Collections and Rare Books (scrb@sfu.ca).

Acknowledgements

SFU Library gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre's B.C. History Digitization Program.

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Displaying 181 - 195 of 445

Friend of public education.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.4-42-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: Friend of public education.

Fruit and Vegetable Workers' Union woodblock.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCFVWU-Woodblock-TB44-01-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Description: Print woodblock of the Fruit and Vegetable Workers' Union Local #1.

FSA no! Assessment yes.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.5-42-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCTF button protesting the Foundational Skills Assessment (FSA).

Full rights for part-timers.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-040-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: CUPW Scarborough local button advocating for the rights of part-time workers.

George Heyman.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SBTB53.23-13-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU campaign button for George Heyman.

Give me a break.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-045-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: People like breaks.

Gordon Campbell hates teachers.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.5-77-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: 2001 to 2011
Description: BCGEU button opposing British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell.

Government employees love Victoria too!

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-06-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU button celebrating Victoria, British Columbia.

Government workers against Vander Zalm.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-01-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: 1986 to 1991
Description: Button in protest of British Columbia Premier and leader of the Social Credit Party, Bill Vander Zalm.

Guilty until proven innocent: the case against the use of injunctions in labour disputes.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCFED1956-Text07-01-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the decade of the 1960s
Description: Pamphlet on the use of injunctions in labour disputes.

Hands of my job!

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-53-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU button.

Hands off my prep!

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.5-78-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCTEF button protecting preparation time.

Have courage. Oppose racism.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-41-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU button opposing racism.

Health alert. Nursing under attack.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCNurses-Buttons-SB29.3-10-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCNU button advocating for nurses.

Health and safety.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-047-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: CUPW health and safety button.