John Bowman Interview: Journalism, Organizing, and Labour Board Leadership
John Bowman grew up in the north end of Winnipeg and went to the University of Winnipeg studying labour history and journalism. He became active in progressive issues. John edited the student union newspaper while taking a full course load. He later worked for CUP for a year. While editing the student newspaper at U of W, John participated in many picket lines at the Griffin Steel Foundry where the issue was the CAIMAW foundry workers opposing compulsory overtime. It was a long battle against the company and the strikebreakers, where the police were firmly on the side of the boss.
This interview was conducted by Phil Legg on November 14, 2023 in Burnaby, BC. It is part of our Oral History Collection.
John Bowman grew up in the north end of Winnipeg and went to the University of Winnipeg studying labour history and journalism. He became active in progressive issues. John edited the student union newspaper while taking a full course load. He later worked for CUP for a year. While editing the student newspaper at U of W, John participated in many picket lines at the Griffin Steel Foundry where the issue was the CAIMAW foundry workers opposing compulsory overtime. It was a long battle against the company and the strikebreakers, where the police were firmly on the side of the boss.
John moved to the West Coast to become the editor of the CAIMAW newspaper, writing material and conducting many workers’ compensation and B.C. Labour Relations Board appeal hearings. He also became a winger for the B.C. LRB and eventually became a labour side member of the Federal Labour Board in Ottawa. John then moved back to Vancouver where he headed the regional Federal Labour Board office.
John developed considerable expertise as a successful union organizer and has many useful perspectives on how unions can be more effective in organizing, including changing laws to ensure unions have access to unorganized workplaces.