EMPR 240 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Factory Acts, Winnipeg General Strike
19 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
Empr 240 labour policy, january 18, 2017. Initial labour policy, mid 19th century: employment relationships in canada initially governed by british law. Preserve social/class statuses: illustrated by penalties for violations, workers expected to be obedient and loyal within the employment relationship, the state largely intervened in the employment relationship to protect the property and contract rights of employers. Workers had no collective rights and faced legal sanctions for collective action. This early period (prior to the 1870s) was one of repression. Evolution of labour policy late 19th century: labour unrest expanded in the latter decades of the 19th century nine-hour movement and associated strikes. Transition from repression to containment: workers could obtain some expanded rights, the federal trade union act of 1872 legalized trade unions and exempted them from conspiracy charges. Did not compel employers to bargain: the ontario/quebec factory acts of 1884. Set some employment standards (mostly for women and children) Strengthened health and safety measures in factories.
