Solidarity: The Largest Political Protest in British Columbia's History Solidarity: The Largest Political Protest in British Columbia’s History BC Labour Heritage Centre
In 1984 the Solidarity Coalition formed the People’s Commission, travelling around BC to hear community input on the previous year’s legislation and budget. Commissioners seated left to right […]
The Solidarity Coalition held its own round of consultations around British Columbia in 1984. In large and small communities public hearings were held.
Members of other unions and the Solidarity Coalition joined BCGEU picket lines at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver once the strike deadline had passed on October 31, 1983.
Operation Solidarity planned an escalating province-wide walkout. BC teachers, who had no legal right to strike, took a strike vote anyway and joined the picket lines on November […]
At midnight on October 31, 1983 forty thousand members of the BCGEU went on strike for a new contract and an end to the government bills attacking union […]
B.C. Government Employees Union members file past ballot boxes during strike vote at the PNE Agrodome on October 5, 1983.
For two hours the demonstrators marched around the Hotel Vancouver, exchanging catcalls with Social Credit Party delegates. They then marched to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza.
The October 15 demonstration included unions, professional organizations, community groups and the general public. Patsy George, fired BCGEU member and Solidarity Coalition staff, is smiling at the camera.
The October 15 Rally for your Rights became the largest political protest in BC’s history. At far left is Norman Richards, President of the BC Government Employees’ Union.
Cabinet Office occupiers emerged from the building to a boisterous welcome from more than 2,000 people outside.
As members of the BC legislature sat around the clock and the government limited debate, members of the Victoria Solidarity Coalition held a candlelight vigil on September 10, […]
Protests and rallies continued around British Columbia, sometimes combined with local labour disputes. This one in Prince George included picketers involved in a lengthy strike at the local […]
