Article

Miramichi Lumber Strike

Published Online February 7, 2006

Last Edited December 15, 2013

The Miramichi Lumber Strike began 20 August 1937 when 1500 millworkers and longshoremen along the Miramichi River in northern New Brunswick struck 14 lumber firms for increased wages, shorter working hours and union recognition.

Miramichi Lumber Strike

The Miramichi Lumber Strike began 20 August 1937 when 1500 millworkers and longshoremen along the Miramichi River in northern New Brunswick struck 14 lumber firms for increased wages, shorter working hours and union recognition. The strike was organized by the New Brunswick Farmer-Labour Union, an unaffiliated trade union that had been formed just prior to the strike by Gregory McEachreon, a local merchant. The provincial government was petitioned by the union to intervene in the dispute under its recently enacted fair wage legislation, but the government refused to do so unless the men first returned to work. The strike ended on August 31 with a compromise settlement worked out by mediators. The Miramichi lumber strike and the strike in the MINTO coalfields in October 1937 forced the province to re-evaluate its labour relations policy and consequently to introduce new labour legislation in 1938.