1946 Montreal Cottons strike

[4] By August 1, the strike had been settled in Montreal and workers had returned to work at the Dominion Textile mills after entering negotiations with the company.

[7] Locally, the strike was important since it was the first time that workers at Montreal Cotton's Valleyfield mill obtained a collective contract.

[8] The labour activism and the role of women in this strike challenge the historical narrative of a hegemonic conservative Quebec under the leadership of Maurice Duplessis.

[10] By the 1940s, Montreal Cottons had further established its sphere of influence by fostering ties with local parishes and provincial politicians.

[23] By August 1, the strike had been settled in Montreal; workers had returned to work at the Dominion Textile mills after entering negotiations with the company.

[26] On August 10, approximately 400 strike breakers left the church and marched with the support of the local clergy and police force to return to the mills.

[27] Under the direct order of Maurice Duplessis, the chief of the provincial police arrived the following day with two-hundred-fifty reinforcements, armed with machine guns, to escort the scabs to and from the mill.

[33] The demands were met; however, two days later Rowley and local union leader Trefflé Leduc were arrested and charged with inciting the riot.

[37] In this agreement workers gained: union recognition, a general wage raise of five cents for all employees, premiums for night workers, overtime pay, voluntary and revocable union dues, clauses on seniority, procedures for grievances, and one week's paid vacation for all employees.

[43] The mothers and wives of workers participated in the strike as well, they formed "Les Dames Auxiliaires" and provided food and necessities to strikers, stretching their savings to feed their families.