DEFYING THE LAW - a film about the STELCO Strike

Defying the Law

Directed by Marta Nielsen-Hastings

Reviewed by Pam Joyner

“Defying the Law chronicles the 1946 illegal strike of Steelworkers at the Stelco steel plant and the impact it had on our history. As a new generation of Hamilton steelworkers challenges a profit-hungry corporation, this documentary shows how a unity fight can win.

The 1946 strike became the lynchpin in the city of Hamilton. The community was described as having “strike fever” in the summer of 1946 as almost half the population was involved in the steel strike and other striking workplaces. The steel strike, however, was central to bringing positive changes for the Canadian working class as a whole. Many believe it to be the birth of the modern labour movement.

Strike origins

There was a great deal of paternalism and fear in worker-management relations that angered many. At one point, Hugh Hilton, president of Stelco, sent letters to every worker telling them to "leave it to dad. He'd take care of us." One worker said this was his final push to join the union.

Racism was also frequently used to remove ethnic workers from skilled jobs and replace them with those of Anglo Saxon background.

Prior to the strike, workers at the steel plants worked a 48-hour workweek with no sick days and no benefits. They had to work 15 years to just to earn one week of paid vacation per year. The working conditions were often hot and difficult in the open-hearth blast furnaces and rolling mills.

A strike was called demanding a 19.5 cent per hour raise, more vacation time, and union recognition. Union security became the fundamental issue in the strike. The company refused to negotiate with the union or allow workers who wanted to join the union have their dues deducted from their wages.

As workers were fighting to improve working conditions, they faced not only their employer, but the federal government that took the company's side. In an attempt to halt the impending strike, the MacKenzie King government seized the plants under the War Measures Act, which was still in effect. Workers were threatened with fines and imprisonment if they struck. These threats backfired and simply added fuel to the fire.

Solidarity

The steelworkers had both the support of Hamilton's mayor and the surrounding community. Community members prepared food for the picket line. Families came out with their children in the evenings to participate and listen to music from the picket tent. The Congress of Industrial Oganizations (CIO), which had an almost legendary quality, brought up folk singers Pete Seger and Woody Gunthrie to inspire the strikers.

Several stores in the community also supported the strikers by refusing serve the scabs and companies such as Canada Packers refused to sell meat to Stelco for the scabs’ meals.

Solidarity was the key to keeping the pickets strong and steady, and also to stemming the inevitable media against the strike. The Hamilton Spectator, Globe and Mail and Telegram all ran stories in sympathy with the scabs and their families who were facing pressure from the strike not to return to the plant.

From past to present

The strike was settled after 86 days. Although the 3.5 cent wage increase was much smaller than the original demand, strikers won two weeks vacation after five years of work. More importantly, the union won basic union security and all returning workers joined the union after the strike.

It seems there is no time in history that governments and corporations have been willing to offer up a fair share of their profits without a fight. During the current war on workers, it is very inspiring to look back on one of the most successful fights for better working conditions in Canadian history. This was true after the Second World War as much as it is today with our governments more than happy to spend money on war than in helping their own citizens find jobs and affordable education.

Currently, our sisters and brothers in Hamilton have been locked-out by the new plant owner U.S. Steel after challenging deep cuts to their pension and benefits from the company. A brilliant solidarity rally took place in January with numerous unions busing their members, much more needs to be done to win this struggle. Solidarity is the key as the strike of 1946 shows.”