Quebec Ship Labourers' Benevolent Society National Historic Event
Québec, Quebec
Plaque location
(© Parcs Canada | Parks Canada)
Address :
761 Champlain Street, Québec, Quebec
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
2005-11-28
Other Name(s):
-
Quebec Ship Labourers' Benevolent Society
(Designation Name)
Research Report Number:
2004-059
Importance:
One of the first examples of cooperation between different cultural groups to defend workers' rights and interests in a union context
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: 761 Champlain Street, Québec, Quebec
One of the most important labour societies of the 19th century, this organization marked a turning point in the collective promotion of workers' interests by combining mutual aid with union activities. The society provided its members with the security of an assistance program in the event of disease, accident, or death. Later, it also helped underpaid workers who performed dangerous tasks to fight for better working conditions. Founded in 1862 by a coalition of Irish and French-Canadian labourers, it was one of the first successful examples of solidarity among workers from different cultural groups.