Furthermore, according to the Royal Commission that investigated the strike, Saskatchewan miners made half as much as their counterparts in Alberta and in British Columbia.

The local branch of the Mine Workers' Union of Canada in Bienfait demanded a wage increase, an end to the company store monopoly, better living conditions, and improved workplace safety.

On 29 September miners assembled in Estevan with their families to parade through the city in order to draw attention to their strike.

Upon entering the town square, the RCMP confronted the miners and attempted to block and break up the procession.

Police violence broke out, and the RCMP opened fire on the strikers and killed four people and injured numerous others.

After a meeting with Royal Commission Counsel, members of both parties signed the following agreement:We, the mine operators and employees in conference at the court-house Estevan, this sixth day of October, 1931, hereby agree that the mines be opened immediately and the men return to work on following conditions, viz.

:(1) That this be considered a temporary arrangement pending the findings of the Wylie Royal Commission and the possible drafting of a working agreement between the operators and the men.

(5) That the terms of any schedule or agreement finally reached between the operators and the men be made retroactive to the date of re-commencement of work by them.

The three striking miners killed have the inscription "murdered by RCMP" on their headstone, and locals still alternately erase and restore those words.