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Home > Asbestos Strike


The Asbestos Strike was one of the most bitter labour disputes in Quebec history. In February 1949 miners walked off the job at four asbestos mines in the Eastern Townships region. They demanded higher pay and healthier working conditions. The strike was illegal. Owners tried to keep the mines open by hiring strikebreaker s. The 5000 strikers fought back and squads of police were brought in.

Strikers had the support of unions in the rest of Canada and of the Catholic Church in Quebec. However, the companies managed to keep the mines operating by hiring replacement workers. Violence flared, especially in the town of Asbestos, as police and strikers fought on the picket line. Hundreds of workers were arrested before the dispute finally ended in June. Miners received a small pay increase, but many did not get their jobs back.

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