Occupation of Tranquille Institution, Labour Heritage Moment Video
In 1983, the British Columbia Social Credit government announced the closure of the Tranquille Institution in Kamloops, BC, a facility housing over 300 residents with developmental disabilities, as part of a broader cut in social services.
This video is part of our Labour Heritage Moments series.
Thus the 22-day occupation of Tranquille began. Workers swiftly organized, raising a hand-painted union flag alongside the flag of Operation Solidarity, a larger movement uniting labor and social justice organizations. They evicted managers, changed locks, elected a council, and declared the facility “Under New Management”. Within an hour, schedules were established for every department. Workers informed bosses they would not be allowed in and posted sentries at every door, requiring union cards for deliveries.
The occupation concluded on August 10th, with significant victories for the workers. The government agreed to collaborate with community-care advocates to find suitable homes for Tranquille residents. Additionally, major labor issues were addressed through collective bargaining, and the government promised no retaliation against the striking workers.
The Operation Solidarity movement continued through the fall, with BCGEU members participating in province-wide protests.