Strathcona in Hamilton, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Nine-hour Movement/ Les Mouvement des Neuf Heures
Photographed By Tim Boyd, April 13, 2023
1. The Nine-hour Movement Marker
In the mid-nineteenth century industrial workers laboured ten to twelve hours a day, six days a week. Inspired by British and American examples, Hamilton unionists launched a crusade for a shorter workday in January of 1872. The workingman, they argued, needed more time for family, leisure, education and civic life. Soon the Nine Hour Movement had branches across central Canada. In Hamilton on May 15, thousands of union and non union workers walked off the job. Cheered on by large crowds, they paraded through the city and staged a demonstration here at the Crystal Palace grounds. Resistance by employers ultimately defeated the movement, but workers learned the potential of large-scale mobilization and would eventually win a shorter workday.
Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation
Au dix-neuvième siècle, les ouvriers trimaient de dix à douze heures par jour, six jours par semaine. En janvier 1872 les syndicalistes de Hamilton, inspirés par les Britanniques et les Américains, lancent une croisade pour une journée moins longue. L’ouvrier,
this page online
Fondation du patrimoine ontarien, Ministère de la Culture, de Tourisme et des Loisirs
Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 43° 15.663′ N, 79° 53.022′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in Strathcona. Marker is at the intersection of King Street West and Locke Street North, on the right when traveling west on King Street West. The marker is at the south-east corner of Victoria Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hamilton ON L8R L8R, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Baseball at Victoria Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Erskine Presbyterian Church
Photographed By Tim Boyd, March 16, 2023
2. The Nine-hour Movement/Le Mouvement Des Neuf Heures Marker (français)
Also see . . . 150th Anniversary: the Nine Hour Movement and adoption of the Trade Unions Act.
Some 150 years ago, an international workers movement found fertile ground in Canada, where many industrial workers regularly laboured 12 hours a day, six days a week. Between January and June 1872, many workers took to the streets to demand shorter working hours in what became known as the Nine Hour Movement. The labour unrest was instrumental in Parliament passing the Trade Unions Act on June 14, 1872, legalizing the formation of unions to advocate for workers’ rights.(Submitted on April 13, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
Photographed By Tim Boyd, April 13, 2023
3. The Nine-hour Movement/ Les Mouvement des Neuf Heures Marker facing southwest
Photographed By Tim Boyd, April 13, 2023
4. The Nine-hour Movement/ Les Mouvement des Neuf Heures Marker facing north
Ca 1860/90
5. The Crystal Palace, Victoria Park ca 1860-91
Source: Hamilton Public Library
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 13, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
