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 406 - 420 of 445

Vancouver School Teachers' Medical Service Association certificate of membership.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Text-05-01-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s
Description: Vancouver School Teachers' Medical Service Association certificate of membership.

Violence against women. No excuse.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-021-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: CUPW button on women's rights and safety.

Vote Don Johnson for Region 2 RVP.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SBTB53.23-21-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 Don Johnson for Region 2 RVP.

Vote merger.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-018-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 the merger of Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and the Union of Canadian Postal Employees (UPCE).

Vote yes! for a fair contract.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-02-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s
Description: BCGEU button advocating for fair bargaining.

Vote yes! For a wage increase.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-27-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU button advocating for a general wage increase.

VSB trustees sign or resign.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.4-13-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: Button calling for Vancouver School Board trustees to "sign or resign."

Wage controls: another attack on working people and their families.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCFED1956-Text10-01-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: 1975
Description: Pamphlet on wage controls published by B.C. Federation of Labor.

Wanted: a fair contract.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.4-29-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 a fair contact.

Wanted: a fair contract.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.4-35-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 a fair contact.

WCB cuts hurt.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-22-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: Compensation Employees' Union advocating for Workers' Compensation Board funding.

We are the safety in public safety.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-75-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU button supporting correctional officers.

We are the union.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-87-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU button.

We can do it.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCNurses-Buttons-SB29.3-22-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCNU Rosie the Riveter button.

We can't stop caring.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCNurses-Buttons-SB29.3-36-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: B.C. registered nurses button.