The March to Ballantyne Pier

The narrative begins by describing the lockout of 900 Vancouver longshoremen by the Shipping Federation on June 4, 1935, following their refusal to handle ‘hot cargo’ during a separate longshore dispute. It highlights the formation of the “Citizen’s League” by employers, aimed at breaking the union, and the arrival of strikebreakers under police protection at Ballantyne Pier. This led to growing tensions and a planned confrontation by union members.

The booklet then vividly recounts “The March” itself on June 18, 1935. It details the assembly of hundreds of longshoremen in downtown Vancouver, emphasizing their unity and determination. Key figures leading the march are introduced, such as James “Mickey” O’Rourke, a decorated WWI veteran carrying the Union Jack, and Oscar Salonen, a longshoreman and business agent for the Vancouver Dock and Waterfront Workers Association (VDWWA), who was also associated with the Workers’ Unity League. The text describes the diverse group of supporters, including other shoreline workers, unemployed men, and family members, all frustrated by the ongoing economic depression.

The core of the booklet focuses on “The Battle” at Ballantyne Pier. It describes the heavy police presence, including mounted city police, RCMP, and provincial police, armed with billy clubs and even machine guns. The confrontation began with an exchange between Police Chief William Foster and Oscar Salonen, followed by the longshoremen’s advance. The police responded with tear gas and physical force, leading to a chaotic skirmish where marchers fought back with rocks and other projectiles. The booklet details the injuries sustained by both protestors and police, the scattering of the crowd, and the pursuit of individuals through the city streets, including incidents of police violence against bystanders. It also mentions the raids on union offices and the continued use of tear gas.

Finally, the booklet covers the “After The Battle” period. It reports on the number of injured citizens and police treated in hospitals, the arrests of strikers and sympathizers, and the subsequent ban on picketing and cut-off of relief payments. The legal battles of union leaders like Ivan Emery and Oscar Salonen are discussed, including Emery’s acquittal on inciting a riot but conviction for unlawful assembly. The document concludes by noting the eventual calling off of the strike, the blacklisting of many union members, and the long-term impact on the Vancouver longshoremen’s union, ultimately leading to the formation of the International Longshore Workers’ Union (ILWU) in 1945. The booklet emphasizes the resilience of the longshoremen and the enduring lessons learned from this “lost strike” that nonetheless contributed to building a militant and representative union.