Charles Howard Webb (1896-1977), Booklet
This booklet chronicles the significant contributions of Charles Howard Webb (1896-1977) to the labour movement in Prince George and the Interior region of British Columbia. Webb began his career as a sawmill worker.
Webb became a pivotal figure in the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) Local 1-424 (now part of United Steelworkers Local 1-2017). He helped to build the labour movement in Prince George and was politically active locally and provincially.
His journey in the BC labour movement began in 1938 at the Eagle Lake sawmill in Giscome, BC, one of the largest spruce sawmills in Western Canada, employing around 100 men in the mill and more in logging camps, supporting a community of 400-600 people. Webb played a crucial role in the mill workers’ decision to join the IWA in 1945 after a wage increase request was denied due to their non-union status. He was elected a shop steward in the newly formed local.
Webb’s influence extended beyond union organizing. In 1948, he cast the deciding vote against Harold Pritchett, a prominent Communist figure, effectively ending Communist domination of the BC Federation of Labour during the highly-charged Cold War era. While his motivations remain unknown, his consistent support for the CCF (Cooperative Commonwealth Federation) and his gradualist approach to social change likely influenced his decision.
After the union’s internal struggles, Webb became the business agent for IWA Local 1-424 in 1949, a position he held for almost 20 years until his retirement in 1967. In this role, he tirelessly worked to rebuild union membership after the impactful 1953 strike, which, despite significant public and labor support, resulted in modest gains but a nearly 50% drop in membership. He also coordinated with employers, intervened in disputes, and ensured the timely distribution of union news to members.Beyond the IWA, Webb was instrumental in co-founding the Prince George and District Labour Council in 1956, serving as its secretary for 26 years. This council aimed to unify labor’s voice in the region and integrate it into mainstream politics. His dedication was widely recognized, and he became a frequent spokesperson for the Council in the press.
In 1956, Webb was elected as an alderman to the Prince George City Council, becoming the first explicitly labour-backed city councilor in Prince George. He served for two years, advocating for workers’ rights and affordable housing.
Even in retirement, Webb remained active, continuing his work with the Labour Council and participating in environmental and provincial politics (through the New Democratic Party). He died in 1977 at an NDP convention, leaving a legacy as a quiet, steady, and hardworking figure who was fundamental in establishing the union movement and shaping labour relations in the Northern Interior of British Columbia.
This booklet was written by Rob-Roy Douglas and published in 2016 to coincide with the installation of a heritage plaque honouring Howard Webb at the union’s office in Prince George, BC.