Tranquille Occupation 1983, Plaque
This bronze plaque is located outside the BCGEU office at 151 Oriole Rd, Kamloops, BC. It was developed with the support of BCGEU.
The plaque was cast at Ornamental Bronze, a unionized foundry in Richmond which has operated since 1928. It was unveiled in July 2023.
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.
Operation Solidarity: Workers Take Over Facility for a Better Future
The plaque reads: A dramatic 22-day occupation of the Tranquille Institution began July 19, 1983. It was the first major event during Operation Solidarity. The government planned to close the institution and fire 600 union members without cause. In response, the workers expelled managers and ran the facility themselves to continue to care for the 325 residents with significant physical and developmental disabilities who faced an uncertain future. The occupation ended when the workers’ demands were met with an agreement for their participation on a team to plan for the residents’ future needs. The threat to fire the workers was retracted in collective bargaining a few months later. BC Labour Heritage Centre 2020 Union Made BCGEU