Strikes, Shutdowns, and the Labour Wars
The history of Labrador West is punctuated by “The Big Ones”—major labour disputes and economic shutdowns that stopped the town in its tracks. Because the entire region relies on one commodity (Iron Ore), a strike or shutdown isn’t just a workplace issue; it freezes the entire community.
From the early struggles to establish basic rights to the modern battles against global conglomerates, the labour history of Labrador City and Wabush is a story of a community fighting to remain a “hometown” rather than just a “work site.”
The Early Struggles (1960s – 1980s)
In the early days, the battles were about establishing the union’s power in a remote camp environment.
1969: The “Quebec-Labrador” Strike
This prolonged strike affected both the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) and the Quebec North Shore and Labrador (QNS&L) Railway. It was a major test for the young town, requiring federal mediation because shutting down the railway effectively cut off the entire region (including Schefferville) from supplies. It set the tone for the militant culture of United Steelworkers Local 5795.
1981–1982: The Great Shutdown (The Recession)
This was not a strike, but a fight for survival. When global iron ore demand collapsed, IOC shut down its operations for five weeks in the summer of 1982. This was the moment residents realized the town could “die.” While Lab City survived, the nearby mining town of Schefferville was permanently closed by IOC in late 1982. Residents watched their neighbours’ homes be bulldozed, creating a deep-seated fear of closure that persists today.
The Summer of Silence: The Great Strike of 2004
As the town matured, the disputes shifted from wages to job security. The Great Strike of 2004 stands as the defining event of the modern era. For 10 weeks (July 19 – September 27), over 1,200 workers walked off the job at IOC.
The Flashpoint: The Fear of the “Camp”
The core issue was “Contracting Out.” IOC (owned by Rio Tinto) sought the ability to hire temporary, non-union contractors for permanent jobs. The union saw this as an existential threat, fearing IOC wanted to turn Labrador City into a transient “camp” with cheap wages, destroying the permanent community. The resolve was absolute: the strike mandate passed with 701 out of 702 members voting to strike.
The Siege: A Town on Pause
With both IOC and Wabush Mines (which struck earlier in July) closed, the local economy evaporated. However, the picket lines transformed into the social center of the town.
- The Picket Lines: Miners manned the lines 24 hours a day. In the middle of summer, these became social hubs with BBQs and music, masking the deep financial anxiety families felt.
- The “Family” Factor: Unlike previous strikes, this mobilized the entire family unit. Spouses organized support networks, understanding that if “contracting out” won, home values and incomes would collapse.
Community Solidarity: Despite the economic freeze, signs reading “We Support Local 5795” appeared in shop windows, signaling town unity against the multinational.
The “Scab” Tensions
The strike created a deep rift between the “Union” and “Staff” (management). Tensions flared whenever the company attempted to run operations. The terms “scab” or “rat” were used liberally, and managers found themselves ostracized in grocery stores or their children excluded from playgroups. These wounds took years to heal.
The strike ended on September 27, 2004. The union won limits on contracting out, securing the residential workforce for another decade. However, the cost was high—families lost a quarter of their annual income. The strike taught a generation of “IOC kids” that their lifestyle was fragile, hardening the union culture for future battles.
The Crisis Era and Modern Solidarity (2014 – 2019)
The most turbulent period in the region’s history was defined by the total loss of one mine and a bitter fight to save the other.
2014: The Death of Wabush Mines
Cliffs Natural Resources permanently closed the Scully Mine in Wabush due to high costs and crashing iron ore prices ($60/tonne). It was a catastrophe: 500 jobs vanished, and Cliffs filed for creditor protection, cutting pensioner benefits by roughly 21–25%. It left a “ghost town” feeling in Wabush until Tacora Resources restarted the mine in 2019.
The “Two-Tier” Strike (IOC)
In 2018, 1,300 IOC workers walked out for 9 weeks (March 27 – May 28). The company wanted to introduce a “Temporary Workforce” and a “Two-Tier” pension plan for new hires. Using the playbook from 2004, the union held the line. They successfully fought off the two-tier system, ensuring young workers received the same defined benefits as the “old guard.” It was viewed as a major victory for inter-generational solidarity.