Workers & Unions
Workers & Unions

New Brunswick had the earliest worker's unions in Canada formed along Saint John's waterfront in 1849 to protect its workers from non-union members who would work for lower wages. Unions faced a continual struggle to maintain their existence on the path of advancing technology and managerial tactics. One method of advancing their cause was large parades where many trades featured elaborate floats and colourful banners. Strikes occurred when unions and their bosses couldn't come to an agreement over wages or hours of work and replacement workers were imported. This happened in the 1914 Saint John Street Railwayman's Strike which ended with a riot in Market Square, overturned streetcars and one of the last cavalry charges in Canada.
Images 1 - 20 of 309.


Images 1 - 20 of 309.