“We’re Sticking to Our Union”

The Miner’s Strike lasted the winter of 1941-42, but was doomed to fail almost from the very beginning. The miners goal was for union recognition, but the mine owners and upper management held firm.

Over those four months, the community became deeply divided between those who were pro- and anti-strike. People who were against the strike felt it was unpatriotic to make demands when other men were overseas fighting in a war. Many media sources (local and national) were unsympathetic and associated the union and miners with communism.

Not all miners joined in the strike, and other men looking for work in the mines were labeled as ‘scabs’.  Confrontations took place when men tried crossing picket lines. Verbal threats and sometimes physical abuse took place throughout town. Friendships ended and neighbours stopped talking to one another.