1940s

1940: Unemployment Insurance legislation is passed, containing relatively generous socio-economic security provisions

1941?: Relocation of Japanese citizens to Southern Alberta; many work on sugar beet fields

1944: Government of Wm Lyon Mackenzie King invokes PC 1003, a Wartime Measures Act, in reaction to wave of labour militancy; provides framework for post-War collective bargaining legislation across Canada

1945: President of Calgary & District Labour Council elected Mayor of Calgary

1946: Justice Ivan Rand delivers arbitration award to end UAW strike at General Motors; provides basis for Rand Formula for union security

1947: Farmers organize ‘parity strike’ across Alberta
– All Edmonton packinghouse workers join a national strike in the industry that wins major concessions for employees in that industry.
– Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers organizes massive strike at Medalta pottery works in Medicine Hat
– Leduc #1 well begins oil boom in Alberta (rednecks buy unprecedented number of ½ ton trucks with gun-racks and Confederate flags on rear window)

1948: United Labour Farmers’ Temple Association (ULFTA) becomes the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians in response to Cold War pressures
– Social Credit Government passes draconian labour legislation in response to Mine Mill strike at Medicine Hat, reversing tradition of progressive policies

1949: Industrial Federation of Labour of Alberta formed