Today in Labor History

Today in labor history for the week of September 24, 2012

September 24

Canada declares the Wobblies illegal - 1918

Working Class Heroes

Today in #LaborHistory: Sep 24 -via- unionist.com

Canada declares the Wobblies (IWW) illegal - 1918

"It was in Vancouver that the nick-name “Wobbly” originated. A local Chinese restaurant keeper supported the union and would extend credit to its members. He pronounced IWW as “I Wobble Wobble”, and it quickly caught on." - from http://vanarchive.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/early-radical-history-of-vancouver/

"On September 24, 1918, a federal order in council declared that while Canada was engaged in war, 14 organizations were to be considered unlawful, including the IWW and the Workers International Industrial Union (DeLeons' expelled Detroit faction of the IWW).. Penalty for membership was set at 5 years in prison." - from http://www.spunk.org/texts/groups/iww/sp000476.txt