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 256 - 270 of 445

March for your rights!

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Text-04-01-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s-10-15
Description: Flyer announcing a march at B.C. Place to oppose government cuts.

Marshal.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-19-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU Marhsal button.

May Day!

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.4-45-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: Button celebrating international workers' day, May 9th.

Medical nursing is motivated.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCNurses-Buttons-SB29.3-12-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.

Member B.C. Gov't Employees Association - buy B.C. Products.

MsC_222_Yorke_BCGEA-Text05-01-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: 1954
Description: 1954 British Columbia Government Employees' Association membership card.

Member C.U.P.W.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-067-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: CUPW member button.

Merger now.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-044-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: Button advocating for a single union for all postal workers.

More day work. Less night work.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-042-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 fewer night shifts.

N.V.T.A. bargaining together for healthy schools.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.4-06-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: North Vancouver Teachers' Association button advocating for healthy schools.

National day of protest: Nov. 6.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-046-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 announcing a national day of protest on November 6th.

National Nurses' Week

MsC-222_Yorke_BCNurses-Buttons-SB29.3-23-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: 1984-05-06 to 1984-05-12
Description: Newfoundland Nurses' Union button.

Négocier pour notre avenir.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.5-34-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCTF button.

Negotiate now or on the street!

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-059-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: CUPW button regarding negotiations.

No bunk desks.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.4-39-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: Button opposing larger class sizes.

No delay for fair pay.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.4-32-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCTF button advocating for fair pay.