The Provincial Workmen’s Association of Nova Scotia, 1879-1898
Date
1979
Authors
Reilly, Sharon M.
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Abstract
This thesis examines the history of the Provincial
Workmen's Association of Nova Scotia, from iits formation in
1879, until the resignation of the union's ffirst Grand Secretary
in 1898. The study begins with a desiscription of the
economic background of the province's coal t.trade during the
19th century. The end of the "golden age" o of wood, wind and
sail, and the region's attempts to industria~alize in response
to the National Policy are discussed in rela·.ation to the coal
industry. The difficulties experienced by tlthe miners as a
result of these changing economic conditions1s are considered
in the second chapter, and the formation off the P.W.A. is
described. The early organizational activitities, constitution,
ritual _and structure of the society are also~o detailed. The
following chapter investigates the three tac1ctics employed by
the P.W.A. to protect the rights and improve,e the condition of
the Nova Scotia miners. The utility and idedeological underpinnings
of each method - strikes, governmen~nt lobbying and
electoral · politics - is considered in order t to clarify the
degree of success achieved by the union in i1its stated goals.
Chapter Four focuses more directly on the idtdeology of the
P.W.A. "Loyalist" and "rebel" attitudes towaward the coal masters,
the increasing alientation of the mine1ers from their work
resulting from the development of industriall capitalism, and
the growth of trade union consciousness and~ working class
awareness are described. The influence of RcRobert Drummond on
the Nova Scotia miners is also discussed. TlThe fifth and final
chapter describes the rank and file disconterent with leadership
that emerged in the late 1880s and culminateced with the compan.y
store dispute in 1896. The "invasion of thee Knights of Labor"
and the resignation of Robert Drummond are e}examined. Final
conclusions are then presented, followed by can epilogue, which
describes briefly the path taken by the P.W.1.A. from 1898 until
the dissolution of the union in 1917.