The asbestos strike ended on July 1, 1949, and the strikers returned to work on July 6. Here we see them at the gate of the mine. The bitter strike had lasted six months. The settlement called for recognition of the union, rehiring of all the strikers, the dismissal of civil suits for damages on the company's part and criminal suits on the part of the crown against the strikers, and a wage increase of ten cents an hour. One would imagine that the miners had mixed emotions on returning to work: bitterness, discouragement and resentment mingled with joy, satisfaction and relief.
Courtesy: National Library and Public Archives of Canada
