Landmark Victoria Teacher Strike Makes History, Plaque
This bronze plaque is located at South Park School in Victoria, BC. It was developed with the support of the BC Teachers’ Federation, the BOAG Foundation, and the BC Retired Teachers’ Association.
The plaque was cast at Ornamental Bronze, a unionized foundry in Richmond which has operated since 1928. It was unveiled on May 24th, 2019.
This is one of many Plaques around the Province, a project of the BC Labour Heritage Centre which aims to recognize events, actions, episodes, movements, or experiences that played a significant role in the history of the labour movement and working people in all regions of British Columbia.
Landmark Victoria Teacher Strike Makes History
The plaque reads: On February 10 and 11, 1919, Victoria teachers made history by going on strike to protest low wages. This was the first teacher strike in Canada. Even though the Victoria School Board requested that the Provincial Department of Education take action against the 169 teachers, department officials refused. They also helped to reach a settlement between the Board and teachers, who won significant wage increases. In addition, the School Act was amended to provide for a voluntary arbitration process for settling salary disputes. This action by the Victoria Teachers’ Association was an important first step for BC teachers on the long road to full collective bargaining rights. BC Labour Heritage Centre 2017 Union Made GVTA