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.

Search within Collection

Displaying 436 - 445 of 445

Women make the union strong.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-041-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: CUPW button celebrating women in the labour movement.

Workers say no! To separate sort from delivery.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.1-032-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: CUPW button.

Working families standing together! We are one.

MsC-222_Yorke-BCFed1956-Text02-01-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s
Description: B.C. Federation of Labour poster calling for solidarity between Canadian and American working families.

Working for a fair settlement.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-67-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU button.

Working under protest.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-36-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU protest button.

World March for Women.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.5-13-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: World March of Women button.

Yes, I'm available for substitute teaching.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.4-38-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: Substitute teacher button.

Yes.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-34-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU button encouraging a "yes" vote.

You are "we."

MsC-222_Yorke_BCEmployees-Buttons-SB30.1-42-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCGEU button.

Zero is no bargain.

MsC-222_Yorke_BCTeachers-Buttons-SB31.5-51-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Date: Unknown year in the century of the 1900s to Unknown year in the century of the 2000s
Description: BCTF button.