Mural of 1919 General Strike to be Created

MFL affiliates provided over $20,000 to make project possible.

The Executive Council of the MFL attended a presentation by the Graffiti Gallery on June 2. The Gallery asked if the labour movement in Manitoba could sponsor a mural depicting the 1919 General Strike. The mural, about four stories high, would hang in downtown Winnipeg for two years, before being displayed for a further two years across Canada.

The mural the MFL and it's affiliates were asked to sponsor, one of five being created, will be painted by young people who are being encouraged to use their talents in a positive way. These artists are mostly young, aboriginal men, many of whom have taken a wrong path in life.

The Graffiti Gallery gives these young men an outlet for their creativity. In addition, they learn valuable skills. They are also encouraged to interact with their communities, who have often seen these young people as potentially dangerous.

The sponsorship cost to the labour movement for the mural was set at $20,000. In the month since the request was made, the affiliates of the MFL really stepped up to the plate to fund this worthwhile project. The MFL received commitments for $22,450, which is in excess of the $20,000 requested.

More information about this project can be found on the Mural Fest Web site. The unions and labour organizations supporting this project are the Brandon and District Labour Council, Canadian Auto Workers, Canadian Labour Congress,, CUPE Local 500. CUPE Manitoba, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Manitoba Building and Construction Trades Council, Manitoba Federation of Labour, Manitoba Focus on Labour, Manitoba Government and General Employees Union, Manitoba Union Label League, Operating Engineers of Manitoba Local 987, Portage Labour Council, Public Service Alliance of Canada - Prairie Region, Service Employees International Union Local 308, The Pas and District Labour Council, UNITE/HERE, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832, United Steel Workers Local 1-324, United Steel Workers Local 9074, United Steel Workers Northern Area Council, United Steel Workers Southern Manitoba Area Council, and the Winnipeg Labour Council.