Barnet Millworkers’ Strike 1931
This booklet delves into the 1931 Barnet Millworkers’ Strike, offering a detailed account of the labour dispute that unfolded at the Barnet Lumber Company in Burnaby, BC. It examines the working conditions and wage reductions that led 360 workers to strike against the mill’s US owners.
The booklet provides historical background on the North Pacific Lumber Company, established in 1889, and its eventual transformation into the Barnet Lumber Company in 1925. The narrative extends to the eventual closure of Kapoor Sawmills, which operated on the site until 1959, and the subsequent conversion of the area into Barnet Marine Park.
The booklet was produced by Eric Damer, a researcher for the Burnaby Village Museum who has published several works on local social and educational history. It was published to coincide with the installation of a heritage plaque at the Barnet Marine Park in 2017.