Saint John Longshoremen's History Spans 150 years

by Beverly Stears
Saint John Times Globe

Paid vacations, paid holidays, sick leave, maternity leave, health and safety protection, overtime, medical and dental plans and pension plans - these are among some of the benefits many workers enjoy today, thanks to labour unions.

Labour unions have played an important role in the development of the blue-collar city of Saint John. Over the years unions have waged valiant battles in the defense of workers' rights. Some have won, but many have failed, unable to slay the mighty Goliath. And although some unions in the Port City have been practically stripped of any negotiating power by forceful employers and compliant governments, one union stands out as a model of success.

This union, which happens to be the first bona fide labour union in Canada, boasts a long and impressive history. It is Local 273 of the International Longshoremen's Association, and it was formed in 1849 when Saint John's longshoremen banded together to lobby for regular pay and a shorter workday. Before then, longshoremen worked under what was known as the "State of Maine" system, toiling from daylight to dark, and sometimes even by candlelight, says Pat Riley, business agent for ILA Local 273. Their labour was not fairly compensated, however, as the wages were extremely low, averaging between three shillings, six pence to four shillings, six pence. If these conditions were not deplorable enough, the men often would not get paid until the ship was finished its business in the port, and then were frequently paid with metal chits redeemable at company stores.

The Saint John Labourer's Benevolent Association (now Local 273) put an end to these practices. They met for the first time in April 1849 in Nethery's Hall on Church Street. The first elected officers were John Carr, president; Thomas O'Keleher, secretary; Jeremiah O'Sullivan, financial secretary; and Richard Doyle, treasurer. The newly formed union's first resolution called for cash payments on Saturday night and a 10-hour day.

The union raised a bell at Market Slip, which was tolled to signal the beginning and the end of the labourers' day. This "Labourer's Bell" now hangs in the belfry of Stella Maris Church in East Saint John, a memorial to deceased longshoremen and a reminder of the union's proud past.

Inspired by their counterparts in Saint John proper, labourers of the West Side, then known as Carleton, erected their own labourer's bell at Market Square on May 23, 1851. This bell was later used as a fire alarm until modern technology made it obsolete. The bell now peals form the belfry at St. Jude's Church.

The labour movement was afoot and membership grew by leaps and bounds. Early in the 1880's, the Saint John Laborer's Benevolent Association changed its name to the Ship Labourer's Union. In 1904 the name was once again changed, this time to the Longshoremen's Association, and on April 4, 1911, a charter was granted by the ILA and the body became known as ILA Local 273. The union is regarded as pioneers in the labour movement, and is credited with spurring trade unionism across the country.

During its 150 years, the union never once disbanded, and work stoppages at the port of Saint John "have been few and far between", Mr. Riley says.

Mr. Riley attributes the union's success to "a caring membership which knows the value of solidarity, not only at the local level, but also at the national and international levels".