Greenwood: A Strong Union Town
BY: BG EDITOR
Union Badges
[ Photo: B.C. Labour Heritage Centre ]
Nov 24, 2018 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG)
A LITTLE LABEL FABLE
Now listen to this fable
Of a little, little label
That is worn upon the clothing that we wear;
It's the product of the age
And it means a decent wage
And is given to employers who are fair.
It means a shorter day,
It stands for work and play,
We stamp it on the labor that sell;
So stand up for labor's right
And help to win the fight
And abolish all the ethics of a hell.
~ Nedrey's Free Lance
Now listen to this fable
Of a little, little label
That is worn upon the clothing that we wear;
It's the product of the age
And it means a decent wage
And is given to employers who are fair.
It means a shorter day,
It stands for work and play,
We stamp it on the labor that sell;
So stand up for labor's right
And help to win the fight
And abolish all the ethics of a hell.
~ Nedrey's Free Lance
By the close of 1899, Greenwood newspapers carried regular reports about labour unions that were starting local chapters here. In fact, Greenwood quickly became one of the hot spots in the province for union activity. A report in the December 23rd issue of the Boundary Creek Times surveyed the union horizon:[1]
STRONG UNION TOWN
TAILORS ORGANIZED LAST MONDAY
Notes of the Local Labor Unions
"For its size Greenwood will shortly rank as one of the strongest union towns in the Province. The Miners' Union and the Carpenters' Union are both numerically and financially strong organizations. Monday last the journeymen tailors of the city organized a union with 11 members. There will shortly be unions formed by the plumbers and painters. The printers are all members of the International Typographical Union. A strong effort is now on foot to form a Trades and Labor Council, similar to that in operation at Rossland. Probably this will not be consumated until after the plumbers and painters have effected their organizations. …
PERSONAL MENTION. Martin Griffin of the Phoenix Miners' Union and M. Kane of the Greenwood Miners' Union left last Saturday for Rossland to attend a meeting of delegates from all the unions of Southern British Columbia that met in the Golden City last Monday."
TAILORS ORGANIZED LAST MONDAY
Notes of the Local Labor Unions
"For its size Greenwood will shortly rank as one of the strongest union towns in the Province. The Miners' Union and the Carpenters' Union are both numerically and financially strong organizations. Monday last the journeymen tailors of the city organized a union with 11 members. There will shortly be unions formed by the plumbers and painters. The printers are all members of the International Typographical Union. A strong effort is now on foot to form a Trades and Labor Council, similar to that in operation at Rossland. Probably this will not be consumated until after the plumbers and painters have effected their organizations. …
PERSONAL MENTION. Martin Griffin of the Phoenix Miners' Union and M. Kane of the Greenwood Miners' Union left last Saturday for Rossland to attend a meeting of delegates from all the unions of Southern British Columbia that met in the Golden City last Monday."
Outside of the mining industry, the printers were one of the first labour groups to organize. In November 1899, the Times announced that the International Typographical Union was setting up shop in the Boundary.[2]
A Typographical Rally
"A charter has been applied for by members of the International Typographical Union in the Boundary district. It is intended to include all the printers working in Cascade, Grand Forks, Columbia, Phoenix, Greenwood and Midway in the organization. There are at present sixteen card men working in the district, and after the union is established all printers (about 20) working in Boundary will, it is hoped, come in."
"A charter has been applied for by members of the International Typographical Union in the Boundary district. It is intended to include all the printers working in Cascade, Grand Forks, Columbia, Phoenix, Greenwood and Midway in the organization. There are at present sixteen card men working in the district, and after the union is established all printers (about 20) working in Boundary will, it is hoped, come in."
The International Typographical Union (ITU) was a US trade union representing those who worked in the printing trade, usually at newspapers and other paper broadcast media. The ITU was founded in 1852 in the U.S., but changed its name to International in 1869, after it began organizing in Canada.
In the 1800's, typographers were generally well educated, and could find work at decent pay in most urban areas in which a newspaper operated. By the nature of their work, they were in a position to influence publicity in favour of their cause, and used that facility successfully in organizing the Typographical Union.
Greenwood typographers found themselves in good company with others from the Boundary:[3]
TYPOS ORGANIZE
"A Branch of the International Typographical Union is Now Established in the Boundary. On Saturday evening last about twenty printers of the district met in the parlors of the Yale hotel, Grand Forks, and organized a branch of the International Typographical Union. F. H. McCarter, Sr., was elected temporary chairman, when the following officers were elected temporarily to act until the I. T. U. charter arrived: President, J. W. Grier; vice president, J. D. Hendrix; secretary, W. H. Pierre; treasurer, W. J. Harber; executive committee, Fred Grant, G. Earl McCarter, L. Keefe, E. M. Grace and J. W. Ellis. Previous to the organization, F. H. McCarter, business manager of the Grand Forks Miner, banquetted the printers in the Yale hotel. Every competent printer working in the district has either joined or signified his intention to join the new union. The next meeting of the union will be held in Greenwood, subject to the call of the secretary."
"A Branch of the International Typographical Union is Now Established in the Boundary. On Saturday evening last about twenty printers of the district met in the parlors of the Yale hotel, Grand Forks, and organized a branch of the International Typographical Union. F. H. McCarter, Sr., was elected temporary chairman, when the following officers were elected temporarily to act until the I. T. U. charter arrived: President, J. W. Grier; vice president, J. D. Hendrix; secretary, W. H. Pierre; treasurer, W. J. Harber; executive committee, Fred Grant, G. Earl McCarter, L. Keefe, E. M. Grace and J. W. Ellis. Previous to the organization, F. H. McCarter, business manager of the Grand Forks Miner, banquetted the printers in the Yale hotel. Every competent printer working in the district has either joined or signified his intention to join the new union. The next meeting of the union will be held in Greenwood, subject to the call of the secretary."
While the first official organizing meeting took place in Grand Forks, that town was also at the center of some of the controversy that was a catalyst for local men in the industry to call for the Union. In November 1899, a story had hit the local news about Eber C. Smith, publisher of the Daily Gazette in Grand Forks. It seems he had gotten into a hot dispute with a staff member over payment of the employee's wages. The matter ended up in the courts, and the following decree was published in the Times:[4]
"The printers of Grand Forks and their fellowmen in the other towns of the Boundary Creek have formed a Typographical Union and in connection with the troubles in the Gazette office have circulated the following-letter, which speaks for itself:
To the labor sympathizers of British Columbia:
On the 27th day of November last the printers employed in the office of the Daily Gazette, of this city, Eber C. Smith, proprietor, walked out on account of the non-payment of their wages. Mr. Smith absolutely refuses to pay the men and has brought in a counter-claim of damages, based upon the action in leaving him. The office is, therefore, under union laws, an unfair office. Mr. Smith is also, if not the sole proprietor, heavily interested in the Pioneer, published at Phoenix, B. C. Sympathizers with union principles are earnestly requested to take cognizance of the above and act accordingly.
Grand Forks Typographical Union."
To the labor sympathizers of British Columbia:
On the 27th day of November last the printers employed in the office of the Daily Gazette, of this city, Eber C. Smith, proprietor, walked out on account of the non-payment of their wages. Mr. Smith absolutely refuses to pay the men and has brought in a counter-claim of damages, based upon the action in leaving him. The office is, therefore, under union laws, an unfair office. Mr. Smith is also, if not the sole proprietor, heavily interested in the Pioneer, published at Phoenix, B. C. Sympathizers with union principles are earnestly requested to take cognizance of the above and act accordingly.
Grand Forks Typographical Union."
A follow-up record from December 23rd tells us how the drama concluded:[1]
IS OUT OF IT
"A recent issue of the Grand Forks Gazette announces the fact that Eber C. Smith had sold out the Phoenix Pioneer to W. B. Wilcox. The last issue of the Pioneer has the following: For the information of those interested, the undersigned would state that Eber C. Smith of the Grand Forks Gazette has no connection or interest, directly or indirectly, in the Phoenix Pioneer.
Pioneer Pub. Co., W. B. Wilcox, Manager."
"A recent issue of the Grand Forks Gazette announces the fact that Eber C. Smith had sold out the Phoenix Pioneer to W. B. Wilcox. The last issue of the Pioneer has the following: For the information of those interested, the undersigned would state that Eber C. Smith of the Grand Forks Gazette has no connection or interest, directly or indirectly, in the Phoenix Pioneer.
Pioneer Pub. Co., W. B. Wilcox, Manager."
Disputes like this one were, of course, at the very heart of the Labour movement, beginning many years prior in England. The Journeymen Tailors' Union, who also published the poem above in their labour magazine, offered the following missive on the nature of labour unions:[5]
The School of the Masses
"The trade union is the school of the masses. It teaches its members how to resist the opression of classes — of specially favored and law defying trusts. It teaches the dignity of honest labor and upholds the living wage, without which labor is a species of slavery, more debased and degraded than the lowest which obtains in the Czar of Russia's dominions.
It teaches the workingman his true condition and educates him up to the point of being master of himself and conscious of his power and sovereign rights. It is the common school of the common people. It builds no edifices other than the foundations it implants in human hearts of sterling unionism and the truth of life. It is a school at which all men might worship with distinct benefit to themselves. It is the laborer's hope, and his salvation depends upon it." ~ Chicago Federationist
"The trade union is the school of the masses. It teaches its members how to resist the opression of classes — of specially favored and law defying trusts. It teaches the dignity of honest labor and upholds the living wage, without which labor is a species of slavery, more debased and degraded than the lowest which obtains in the Czar of Russia's dominions.
It teaches the workingman his true condition and educates him up to the point of being master of himself and conscious of his power and sovereign rights. It is the common school of the common people. It builds no edifices other than the foundations it implants in human hearts of sterling unionism and the truth of life. It is a school at which all men might worship with distinct benefit to themselves. It is the laborer's hope, and his salvation depends upon it." ~ Chicago Federationist
In the Spring of 1900, local papers were continuing to herald the progress being made by union locals taking root in the Boundary and Kootenays.[6]
STRONG UNION TOWN
A Trades and Labor Council to Be Formed. Other Union notes
"There is a strong movement on foot among the local unions to form a Trades and Labor Council, similar to that in operation at Rossland and the cities on the Coast. Those having the matter in hand have been diligently working for the past month perfecting arrangements. They have invited the different unions in this city to each select delegates to represent them at a meeting to be called some time this coming week. As has already been stated in The Times, Greenwood is a strong union town. Local unions have been formed among the miners, carpenters, tailors, printers and plumbers and steamfitters. The three representatives chosen by the Greenwood Typographical Union are James Grier, William Pierre and E. M. Grace. …
A recent dispatch from Chicago says that unless the body goes to its last resting place in a union-made coffin it will be refused burial in the cemeteries of Chicago and vicinity, if the plans of the labor unions to organize a grave-diggers' union be carried out. As the labor union men have already been joined by the makers of babies' cradles, which now have union labels attached, it is quite probable that coffins will follow suit. Verily, it is unionism from the cradle to the grave in the Windy City. …
A branch of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America has been formed at Republic and a charter sent for to the headquarters of the organization at Philadelphia. Twenty-one members were enrolled."
A Trades and Labor Council to Be Formed. Other Union notes
"There is a strong movement on foot among the local unions to form a Trades and Labor Council, similar to that in operation at Rossland and the cities on the Coast. Those having the matter in hand have been diligently working for the past month perfecting arrangements. They have invited the different unions in this city to each select delegates to represent them at a meeting to be called some time this coming week. As has already been stated in The Times, Greenwood is a strong union town. Local unions have been formed among the miners, carpenters, tailors, printers and plumbers and steamfitters. The three representatives chosen by the Greenwood Typographical Union are James Grier, William Pierre and E. M. Grace. …
A recent dispatch from Chicago says that unless the body goes to its last resting place in a union-made coffin it will be refused burial in the cemeteries of Chicago and vicinity, if the plans of the labor unions to organize a grave-diggers' union be carried out. As the labor union men have already been joined by the makers of babies' cradles, which now have union labels attached, it is quite probable that coffins will follow suit. Verily, it is unionism from the cradle to the grave in the Windy City. …
A branch of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America has been formed at Republic and a charter sent for to the headquarters of the organization at Philadelphia. Twenty-one members were enrolled."
Not surprisingly, the miners unions were among the strongest in the province. The Western Federation of Miners, an umbrella group representing members of smaller locals, like the Greenwood Miners' Union and Phoenix Miners' Union, carried a big stick in the industry. And it was hoped that these locals were carrying a big Canadian stick! Just as we find trade disputes today, like those currently taking place in the lumber industry, in the early 1900s there was also a hot dispute about the degree of influence the United States had on Canadian industry:[7]
W. F. OF M.
"Fifty years ago wage earners were thrown into prison for daring to organize. Today such a course would be impossible. Unions are so well organized that they must be tolerated if not welcomed by a certain class of employers. That class are unconscious believers in the Divine right doctrine. They are the absolute owners and they can work their properties as they see fit.
One James Dunsmuir who inherited valuable coal mines on Vancouver Island possesses all the prejudices of President Baer but little of the latter's ability. Mr. Dunsmuir for years opposed the organization of the men employed in his mines. Officers of labor unions were forbidden to ride on his railways and every other kind of weapon was used to prevent organization. But the men did organize despite Mr. Dunsmuir's efforts. They have now decided to join the Western Federation of Miners and Mr. Dunsmuir is up in arms again. He says he will close his mines for years rather than have them worked by members of a foreign organization. Mr. Dunsmuir's course does not surprise any one; it is consistent with his past, but it is surprising to find newspapers who ought to know better endorsing that position.
The Western Federation of Miners is today au international organization having members on both sides of the line. Its head office is in Denver, Colorado. That is a dreadful situation isn't it? It is really time to pause and to deprecate foreign dominance. The newspapers of Canada have struggled along some how under the dominance of the International Typographical Union with headquarters at Indianapolis, and the magnificent blocks that have been erected in the various cities of this unfortunate country are not likely to come tumbling down because they have been erected by bricklayers, joiners, carpenters and others, the head officers of whose organizations are in the land of the Stars and Stripes.
The Western Federation of Miners is no better nor no worse than other international labor organizations and is "dominated" to no larger extent. Its local officers will compare favorably with the officers of other organizations. They have made mistakes in the past and are likely to make them in the future but it is not fair to direct all the criticism at this organization because it is international.
In this connection it is just as well to refer to the silly reports which interested organs have been publishing to the effect that recent labor troubles have arisen through the manipulations of interested Americans. First it was stated that American coal dealers had started the trouble to keep Canadian coal out of the American market, now B. C. copper out of the market. We do not believe these statements. If they were true, the local unions would be the first to take action. If they discovered that their officers were in league with designing Americans to stifle important industries in this country punishment would follow or they would soon leave the Western Federation of Miners.
Personally we would like to see a Canadian Federation of Labor having dominion over all labor unions in this country. We believe that such a federation can and will be brought about, but until it is, it is absolutely unfair to endeavor to prejudice the public against one particular labor organization."
"Fifty years ago wage earners were thrown into prison for daring to organize. Today such a course would be impossible. Unions are so well organized that they must be tolerated if not welcomed by a certain class of employers. That class are unconscious believers in the Divine right doctrine. They are the absolute owners and they can work their properties as they see fit.
One James Dunsmuir who inherited valuable coal mines on Vancouver Island possesses all the prejudices of President Baer but little of the latter's ability. Mr. Dunsmuir for years opposed the organization of the men employed in his mines. Officers of labor unions were forbidden to ride on his railways and every other kind of weapon was used to prevent organization. But the men did organize despite Mr. Dunsmuir's efforts. They have now decided to join the Western Federation of Miners and Mr. Dunsmuir is up in arms again. He says he will close his mines for years rather than have them worked by members of a foreign organization. Mr. Dunsmuir's course does not surprise any one; it is consistent with his past, but it is surprising to find newspapers who ought to know better endorsing that position.
The Western Federation of Miners is today au international organization having members on both sides of the line. Its head office is in Denver, Colorado. That is a dreadful situation isn't it? It is really time to pause and to deprecate foreign dominance. The newspapers of Canada have struggled along some how under the dominance of the International Typographical Union with headquarters at Indianapolis, and the magnificent blocks that have been erected in the various cities of this unfortunate country are not likely to come tumbling down because they have been erected by bricklayers, joiners, carpenters and others, the head officers of whose organizations are in the land of the Stars and Stripes.
The Western Federation of Miners is no better nor no worse than other international labor organizations and is "dominated" to no larger extent. Its local officers will compare favorably with the officers of other organizations. They have made mistakes in the past and are likely to make them in the future but it is not fair to direct all the criticism at this organization because it is international.
In this connection it is just as well to refer to the silly reports which interested organs have been publishing to the effect that recent labor troubles have arisen through the manipulations of interested Americans. First it was stated that American coal dealers had started the trouble to keep Canadian coal out of the American market, now B. C. copper out of the market. We do not believe these statements. If they were true, the local unions would be the first to take action. If they discovered that their officers were in league with designing Americans to stifle important industries in this country punishment would follow or they would soon leave the Western Federation of Miners.
Personally we would like to see a Canadian Federation of Labor having dominion over all labor unions in this country. We believe that such a federation can and will be brought about, but until it is, it is absolutely unfair to endeavor to prejudice the public against one particular labor organization."
By the summer of 1903, the Greenwood Miners' Union was going strong, and was celebrating the local's fourth anniversary:[8]
THE DIGNITY OF LABOR
Good Speeches and Orderly Holiday Makers
Fourth Anniversary Celebration Successfully Carried Out
"The Greenwood Miners' Union had already established a reputation for being a body of level headed men. On Wednesday last they demonstrated that not only could they carry on the affairs of the union in a thorough businesslike manner but they could also successfully manage a celebration. It was their first attempt at celebrating their anniversary but it is safe to say that in future years this will be the most popular holiday in the Boundary. …
The procession [of about 250 men] was headed by the Greenwood Citizens' band, who played during the day. The band is certainly improving under Chief Hallett's leadership and as it is now the only live band in the Boundary its services are being eagerly solicited for all celebrations. The parade ended at the auditorium where Messrs. Dougherty, Mills and Gaunce addressed the multitude."
Good Speeches and Orderly Holiday Makers
Fourth Anniversary Celebration Successfully Carried Out
"The Greenwood Miners' Union had already established a reputation for being a body of level headed men. On Wednesday last they demonstrated that not only could they carry on the affairs of the union in a thorough businesslike manner but they could also successfully manage a celebration. It was their first attempt at celebrating their anniversary but it is safe to say that in future years this will be the most popular holiday in the Boundary. …
The procession [of about 250 men] was headed by the Greenwood Citizens' band, who played during the day. The band is certainly improving under Chief Hallett's leadership and as it is now the only live band in the Boundary its services are being eagerly solicited for all celebrations. The parade ended at the auditorium where Messrs. Dougherty, Mills and Gaunce addressed the multitude."
Although the Times' 1903 prediction didn't come through, and the GMU's annual holiday didn't sweep the Boundary off its feet by becoming the best holiday of the year, the Union local did continue to represent the interest of local miners. While our survey of union activities ends at the close of the decade, the Greenwood Miners' Union carried on as a labour watchdog for many more years.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Boundary Creek Times — Dec 23, 1899, p. 8
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170306
[2] Boundary Creek Times — Nov 25, 1899, p. 2
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170612
[3] Boundary Creek Times — Dec 09, 1899, p. 2
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170318
[4] Boundary Creek Times — Dec 16, 1899, p. 7
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170316
[5] The Tailor: Official Organ of the Journeymen Tailors' National Union, Volumes 7-10, p. 5
[6] Greenwood Weekly Times — Mar 31, 1900, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172756
[7] Boundary Creek Times — Mar 20, 1903, p. 2
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170906
[8] Boundary Creek Times — Aug 21, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171129
