Murdochville strike

The Murdochville strike was a notable mining strike in Quebec during the regime of Quebec premier Maurice Duplessis. It provided the impetus and inspiration for other labour leaders to emerge and future calls for labour rights to become vocalized ^[1].

It was publicly supported by Pierre Trudeau who, as a lawyer in 1957, stated on CBC television that the strikers needed the "whole force of public opinion" in order to win in their efforts. Trudeau called the Murdochville strike a "fight for recognition" and advocated for all trade unions throughout Quebec to show their solidarity and the economic influence they collectively possessed ^[2].

Duplessis's labour laws and action against strikers in the Asbestos and Murdochville strikes have been cited by individuals such as Pierre Vallières as providing catalyst for the development of his own social and political consciousness and actions.

References

1. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/features/murdochville.html
2. ^ http://archives.cbc.ca/economy_business/labour_unions/clips/13247/