Labour history in the Kootenays began in 1895 when Rossland became home to the first Canadian local of the Western Federation of Miners (WFM). Thanks to the WFM’s efforts, in 1899 the provincial government passed a law forbidding miners from working more than eight hours underground. In the West Kootenays, where 10-hour shifts were commonplace, mine owners and businessmen were outraged, and the WFM in Rossland were sharply criticized as “American agitators” and troublemakers. However, a petition signed by 3,000 district miners indicated widespread support among the workers, and several WFM union locals were established throughout the area.

Read the full article by Tressa Ford, Archives Assistant at the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery.