On the Line: A History of the British Columbia Labour Movement

by Rod Mickleburgh

The BC tradition of fighting back against unfair pay and unsafe working conditions has been around since before the colony joined Confederation. In 1849 Scottish labourers at BC’s first coal mine at Fort Rupert went on strike to protest wretched working conditions, and it’s been a wild ride ever since. For years the BC labour movement was the most militant in the land, led by colourful characters like Ginger Goodwin, murdered for his pains, and pull-no-punches communist Harvey Murphy, who brought the house of labour down on himself  with his infamous “underwear speech.” Through years of battles with BC’s power elite and small victories followed by bitter defeats, BC unions established the five-day work week, the eight-hour day, paid holidays, the right to a safe, non-discriminatory workplace and many more taken-for-granted features of the modern work landscape. But unions’ enemies never sleep and, well into the second decade of the twenty-first century, battles still go on, like that of BC teachers in their long and ultimately successful struggle to improve classroom conditions.  On the Line  also highlights the role played by women, Indigenous and minority workers in working toward equality and democracy in workplaces and communities. In prose that is both accessible and engaging, accompanied by over two hundred archival photos, Mickleburgh tells the important story of how BC’s labour organizations have shaped the economic, political and social fabric of the province―at a cost of much blood, sweat, toil and tears. This volume is the most comprehensive overview of labour’s struggle in BC and will be of particular interest to union members, community activists, academics and readers of regional history.

Genres: History

320 pages, Hardcover

Published August 25, 2018

Reviews

[Warren Wulff · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book. So well written for such a complex subject. The author does well to organize each chapter chronologically around a central theme and then interweave the various actions of labour throughout. All this while providing context of the provincial, federal, and international dimensions that impacted workers in this province. Mickleburgh is not afraid to call out labour for its weaknesses too, especially its early racist and misogynistic treatment of workers who deserved better, but also fairly shows how labour moved to support myriad social justice causes today. Finally, a sustained focus throughout on the smaller unions, often representing traditionally marginalized workers was refreshing and made the story that much more complete. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and give it a high recommendation for anyone interested in BC history and politics.

[Ron Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been more than fifty years since the publication of the last general history of labour in B.C.: Paul Phillips’ (1967) No Power Greater: A Century of Labour in British Columbia. So, it’s high time that the stories of these brave, principled, and dedicated organizers and ordinary workers were given their due in an updated history. This is a good and inspiring read all around.

History is always written by the winners. The standard histories of B.C. treat you to parades of rich, white British men whose names adorn street signs and major buildings in the business districts of Vancouver and Victoria.

This is history for the 99 per cent, and it should be read by anyone who thinks they know BC history. Here you’ll read about the Province’s history of labour relations with women, the Indigenous, Asian, and South Asian communities, and meet important unsung personages in the movement. You’ll also read about the seamier side of corporate, government, and police relations with labour.

On the Line is nicely illustrated with many archival photos. It doesn’t aspire to be exhaustive, instead, it presents the most important and representative episodes of B.C. labour history. It also covers contemporary labour issues and gives significant space to the problems of racism and feminism.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweeping history of BC labour organizing manages to both provide a rich, diverse history together with many intimate stories. Whether you are just leaning about the labour history or are engaged in the movement this book will be an important read. My only criticism is that I hope the publisher's will come out with a paperback, because more people need access to the book and the table-top size book is heavy for the reader to hold! Also found a great interview with the author here: http://rabble.ca/podcasts/shows/rabbl...

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive history of working people in British Columbia that does not whitewash the concept of labour. Centers underrepresented groups whose contributions are not typically acknowledged, such as the contributions of Indigenous and Chinese people in building the colony and then province. As someone who works in a low-pay care-giving field, I usually feel like my work is not given as much attention in labour histories as that of male-dominated resource extraction and production fields. This was not the case here.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

An emotional history of the mob who took over and started squeezing money out of every living being in BC. Of course, it was all for their own good that the mob was beating them.

[Spencer Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointingly void of racial analysis. Great pictures.

[Toby Mustill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive overview of the labour movement in British Columbia Canada. A must read for anyone with an interest.