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Canadian Textile and Chemical Union strike collection. - 1973. - 6.5 cm of graphic material.

The workers at Artistic Woodwork Co. staged a four month strike in Toronto in 1973. Strike issues included the rights of immigrant workers to organize, the use of undercover strike breakers, and the role of the police. There were 108 arrests during the strike, including strike supporters such as a United Church minister. An agreement was eventually reached but within three years a decertification vote was held. In 1992 the CTCU joined the Canadian Auto Workers as Local 40.

There have been two accruals of photographs taken by Janice Acton which mainly depict arrests by the police using force. The first accrual consists of 18 b&w photographs. Three photographs are dated: 12 November, 14 November, and 23 November [1973]. The second accrual consists of 35 b&w photographs as well as 13 strips of negatives.

Information about the strike was provided by Laurel Ritchie of the Canadian Auto Workers in 1999.

Title based on content of collection.
The first accrual was acquired shortly after 1973; the second accrual (41-2004) was acquired from Janice Acton in November 2004.
Finding aid available in hard copy and electronically at the collection level.
There are no access restrictions.
Further accruals are not expected.

Contact: archives@mcmaster.ca
Last Reviewed: October 4, 2006
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