Unit 7
Changes and Continuities, 1950s and 1960s

This unit examines major events in Canadian labour history that occurred during the 1950s and 1960s. These two decades were times of economic prosperity for unionized Canadian workers holding full-time jobs. In contrast, single-parent families, non-unionized workers, and low-waged and part-time workers continued to experience economic and social marginalization during these years. As well, immigrant domestic workers did not enjoy the same citizenship rights as workers who were permanent Canadian residents, and working mothers continued to endure major social pressures to quit their jobs and return home to look after their children and husbands.

Several major strikes occurred during this period including a producers’ strike at Radio-Canada and a postal workers’ strike at Canada Post. Wildcat strikes also characterized these years, especially in the 1960s, when young, rank-and-file union members engaged in illegal strikes, often in defiance of their union bosses.

Objectives

After completing Unit 7, you should be able to

1. describe the evolution of the Nova Scotia Civil Service Association.
2. explain the significance of the Radio-Canada producers’ strike.
3. explain the significance of the postal strike of 1965.
4. discuss the impact anti-communism had on the labour movement in Alberta between 1940 and 1960.
5. analyze the conflicts that occurred between the union bosses and the rank-and-file workers during this period.
6. analyze federal immigration policy on domestic service workers between 1890 and 1960, noting how labour requirements and race affected state policy toward domestic service workers.