Inverness Miners' Museum
Inverness, Nova Scotia

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The Broken Ground: A History of a Cape Breton Coal Mining Community

 

 

The sun shone brilliantly and the waves rolled gently toward the golden sand. It was a day of promise but the thoughts of the community centred on the 100 soldiers who positioned themselves at strategic points throughout the town. Sitting on the veranda, I could not help but notice the drastic effect their presence had on the minds of the miners. I, for one, felt hopeless arid defeated by the events that were unfolding before my eyes. The July days found us in bitter disagreement with the Company over a problem of affiliation. The United Mine Workers Association had been trying for over a year without success to include the Inverness mines in their union and fight for improved wages as a combined force. For obvious reasons, the Company was infuriated by their appearance and efforts to unionize their workers. Although we were affiliated with the Provincial Workers Association, the benefits received were hardly advantageous. This was only part of the problem. The Company, feeling themselves threatened, quickly involved themselves in some questionable maneuverings and set up a situation whereby a rift existed between two factions of miners. Some were on the side of the Company, where-as others showed their allegiance for the U.M. W. It is strange how things change in such a short period of time. In 1908 we were in agreement with the Provincial Workers Association but soon realized the U.M.W. union would be more beneficial as a stronger voice for advancement.

In order to put this strike into its proper perspective let me say this - many of the miners who had belonged to the Provincial Workers Association (PWA) felt it was too weak to fight for our rights. The United. Mine Workers (UMW) union was stronger and would assert our demands for better working conditions and wages. On April 28th, 1909, the UMW established a local branch and 526 of the 618 miners in Inverness joined. This should have been enough for the Company. They should have realized our need for the UMW to work on our behalf. However, their reaction was to continue collecting dues for the PWA as late as August 1909. We voiced our disapproval but they would not listen. We then reacted in the form of a strike. This was on July 9th. Another factor that inspired the strike was the "closed-shop" policy of the Company, They refused members of the UMW the right to underground work. This we felt was antagonistic to the majority of the mining population. Some of the other events that led us to the strike go back to May 8th, 1909. Some of the boys tied a package that included the names of UMW workers who requested the cancellation of PWA dues from their paychecks and hurled it into Manager Beaton's office. This action had no effect on the Company. On June 8th, a Mr. McCuilough, vice president of the UMW and Peter Patterson, the international Board Member appeared on the scene. They informed Manager Beaton and lie Company that since 95% of the miners were in the UMW it was imperative that PWA, dues not be collected from UMW union members. That same evening both men spoke at a mass meeting of the UMW. When the discussion reached the possibility of a strike both men left the hall and the following day left town.

The strikers were frustrated, disillusioned, unsure of themselves, and desperate for a settlement. Some of them became unruly and caused some minor damage and created some disturbances. On August 27,1909, Mayor D.H. MacLeod reacted hy appointing five special constables at a special swearing-in ceremony

- We the undersigned who have appointed special constables for the Town of Inverness make oath and say and each for himself makes oath and says that he mil truly, faithfully, and impartially perform the duties of and appertaining to our office as such special constables while we hold such office,Sworn to at Inverness in the County of Inverness this 17th day of August 1909 A.D.

Frances Maclntyre, John A. MacDonald, John G. MacKinnon, John A. MacLellan, Vim. L Leslie, D.H. MacLeod.

The Company officials were not entirely confident in the number of people who were protecting their operation and they feared for their lives. Their lives were hardly in danger but they wanted protection supplied, by the mayor's office. The mayor, responsible for their safety and not knowing what was going to develop, had no choice but to request the services of the military. On receiving the application an army force of 100 men and seven officers were rushed by special train. This large contingent proved more of a burden than an advantage. They had to be fed, sheltered, entertained and this was an added expense for the Town Council.

 

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