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