One Big Union
Quick Summary
The One Big Union (OBU) was a Canadian labor organization that emerged in 1919, largely in western Canada, as a response to postwar labor disaffection with conventional trade unionism. It was influenced by the syndicalist ideas of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) but was structured more geographically than industrially.1
The OBU's most significant moment was its involvement in the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919. Although the OBU collapsed relatively quickly, it left a lasting impact by fostering a more progressive and politically active form of trade unionism in the western provinces. This movement arose during a period of significant labor unrest across Canada following World War I, with farmers' alliances also gaining political traction.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
