Celebrate the founding of Local 120
Celebrate the founding of Local 120, United Garments Workers of America.
In Edmonton, in 1911, Local 120 was chartered at the Great Western Garment company plant. In 2007, this event was designated an event of national historic significance by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. It has taken until 2016 to publically recognize this achievement!
Local 120’s accomplishments put Edmonton in the vanguard of the union movement in the garment industry with the 8-hour day and the 44-hour week - years before other garment workers’ unions in Canada. Women workers at GWG gained leadership experience through their participation in union business. Many became active on local boards and influenced the treatment of working women in Alberta.
Join us for the ceremony to unveil the commemorative plaque on Union Promenade in front of the Winspear Centre at 3pm. Then proceed to the Milner Library Theatre across 102 Avenue for a performance of the video ballad The GWG Story: Piece by Piece with singer songwriter Maria Dunn. This touching video and live presentation honours the work and the sacrifices made by the women of the GWG plant.
The ceremony and the GWG video ballad follow the May Day gathering and march beginning at 1pm WHERE? Celebrate Edmonton’s labour history!
When: May 1st 2016 @ 3PM
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Square