24 May 1919: Drumheller miners strike

On this day, 24 May, 1919, thousands of coalminers in Alberta, Canada walked off the job in a dispute over pay, the cost of living, and conditions. They were organised in the One Big Union: a revolutionary union which planned to organise all workers together and take control of society. 13 mine companies in Drumheller refused to negotiate and hired returning war veterans, arming them with clubs and iron bars and giving them free alcohol to terrorise the workers and beat and torture organisers, while the police turned a blind eye. By August the strike was broken.
Learn more about the One Big Union and the Industrial Workers of the World in Canada in episode 52 of our podcast: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e52-the-iww-in-canada/

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