Article

Percy Bengough

Published Online January 24, 2008

Last Edited December 9, 2013

Percy Bengough, labour leader (b at London, Eng 1883; d at Vancouver 10 Aug 1972). Bengough came to Canada in 1905, worked at his trade as a machinist and joined the Amalgamated Society of Engineers. In 1916 he joined the International Association of Machinists and held many offices in that union.

Bengough, Percy

Percy Bengough, labour leader (b at London, Eng 1883; d at Vancouver 10 Aug 1972). Bengough came to Canada in 1905, worked at his trade as a machinist and joined the Amalgamated Society of Engineers. In 1916 he joined the International Association of Machinists and held many offices in that union.

From 1921 to 1942 he was secretary of the Vancouver Trades and Labor Council. He was elected VP of the TRADES AND LABOR CONGRESS in 1931 and president between 1943 and 1954. He actively supported the merger with the Canadian Congress of Labour to create the CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS in 1956.

In 1949 Bengough helped found the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and served on its executive board. During the war he served on several government advisory committees, for which he was awarded a CBE.