ILA Local 273

Beginning of The Labor Movement

In addition to being the oldest incorporated city in Canada, Saint John is rich in the early history of the Labor Movement. Several pioneer organizations, which came into being during the period between the years 1849 and 1870, are still in existence and power in the community.

There are no authentic records of any strictly labor unions having been in existence in Canada previous to the year 1849. While an organization of printers is known to have been maintained in the province of Ontario as early as 1834, it's objects seem to have been more of a social nature and the records do not show that the body functioned as a labor union. There were also, about the year 1835, one or two workers' orginizations in the province of Quebec organized as debating societies and therefore not labor unions in the accepted sense of the term.

Saint John can safely lay claim to being the first city in Canada to have a bona fide labor union. The body of waterfront workers known as the Saint John "Laborer's Benevolent Association", at the present time known as Local No. 273 of the International Longshoremen's Association, was organized in the year 1849. This union has been in continuous existence for one hundred and fifty years.

Longshoremen's Parade Circa 1895

Harold E. Wright, Heritage Saint John Collection

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The Laborer's Bell

Following the completion of the Longshoremen's Association in the year 1849, known as the "Laborer's Benevolent Association," the need of some means of announcing the hours of labor for starting work and knocking off was seen and the union made application to the city council for permission to erect a bell at the head of Market Slip. On the 25th day of June 1849, the Common Council granted the request of the petitioners and permission was given for the erection of the bell to be operated under the direction of His Worship the mayor for the time being.

Hardly had the erection of the bell shears been started when the merchants of the North and South wharves petitioned the Common Council for an order forbidding the ringing of the bell, giving as their objections that it would disturb their clerks in the discharge of their duties. The granting of this petition did not deter the Longshoremen from the carrying out of their resolution and on the memorable July morning in the year 1849, before a large body of workingmen who had gathered to witness the ceremony, John E. Turnbull, a public spirited merchant of the neighborhood, mounted a barrel and addressed the men. In defiance of the order of the Common Council and as a Freeman of the City of Saint John, Mr. Turnbull rang out the first ten-hour day in Canada. A policeman had been sent to prevent the ringing of the bell but, evidently believing discretion the better part of valour, allowed the ceremony to proceed undisturbed.

West Saint John

Opposition to the ringing of the bell was subsequently withdrawn and the bell continued to ring out it's message until it had to be replaced in May, 1870. A new larger bell hung at North Market Slip until, on November 23rd, 1923, changed conditions made the ringing of the bell no longer necessary and it was removed and the shears torn down. On December 7th, 1924, "The Laborer's Bell" was dedicated as a memorial to deceased former longshoremen and placed in the belfry of Stella Maris Church on Bayside Drive. The bell is still in use by the Church today

Following the example set by the workers of the City proper, the laborers of the west side, then known as Carleton, petitioned the Town Council for permission to erect a laborer's bell on Market Square and on May 23rd, 1851, the permission was granted. The bell was erected and the workers of Carelton came under the benefits of the ten-hour day and cash payments on Saturday. When changing conditions of labour made it advisable to discontinue the ringing of the bell, it was used for some years as one of the fire alarms of the West Side. After the installation of the modern fire alarm system this bell, through the efforts of the late Samuel L. Britain, was presented to the wardens of the newly reconstructed St. Jude's Church and now hangs in the belfry where, like it's predecessor of the East Side, it continues to ring out it's message of freedom and hope.

Pugsley Wharf

International Longshoremen's Association
Local 273

Previous to the year 1849, the longshoremen of Saint John worked under what was known as the "State of Maine" system, from daylight to dark, work sometimes even being carried on by candlelight. Wages were extremely low, being from three shillings, six pence to four shillings, six pence per day. A man who received five shillings per day was exceptionally well paid. Nor were long hours and low wages the worst features of the system, for the men were compelled to wait until loading of the ships on which they were working was completed before obtaining a settlement of the wages due them. In many cases the men were paid off with metal disks which were redeemable in the necessities of life at company stores.

As a protest against these intolerable conditions, the waterfront workers of Saint John held a meeting in April, 1849, in Nethery's Hall on Church St. and as a result of this gathering an organization known as the Saint John Laborer's Benevolent Association was formed. The first officers of the union were John Carr: President, Thomas O'Keleher: Secretary, Jeremiah O'Sullivan: Financial Secretary and Richard Doyle: Treasurer. The first resolution adopted by the union called a ten hour day and cash payments on Saturday Night.

When organization had been completed and the members were reaping the benefits of the union, the following officers were elected and served faithfully for many years; James Buckley: President and John O'Connell: Secretary. Mr. O'Connell filled the office of secretary for a great many years and at his death left behind a record of a lifetime devoted to the service of his fellow man.

The union went ahead by leaps and bounds with an ever-increasing membership. The yoke of bondage had been thrown off and a new era for the working man had dawned. This organization marked the beginning of Trades Unionism in Canada and to these pioneers of 1849, who have long since passed on to their reward, much of the credit of our present great movement is due.

Early in the eighties, the name of the union was changed to the "Ship Laborer's Union" and as the years rolled on it grew more and more progressive, serving as a guide to all later similar organizations in the promotion of better conditions for the workers. Again in the year 1904, the name was changed to the "Longshoremen's Association" and on April 4th, 1911, a charter was granted by the International Longshoremen's Association and the body became known as I.L.A Local 273, which title it bears at present time. Under it's various names, it has had a lengthy and honorable career and during it's hundred and fifty years of existence has never disbanded.

The Harbour Beacon Light House

During 1999, Saint John Longshoremen will be celebrating their one hundred and fiftieth year as a Union.

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