A strike began on the frosty morning of November 11, as factory workers from Alma’s largest steel factory walked off the job. The workers demanded better wages, safer working conditions, and most of all, legalization of unions. As word of this labour unrest spread like wildfire, it fanned the embers of similar discontent smoldering in the hearts of factory workers, miners, and lumberjacks throughout the region.

The economics of the late Maurice Duplessis has long been anti-union, despite his pro-welfare stances elsewhere. The workingmen of Quebec held onto a glimmer of hope, praying that the new U.N. leadership would have a change of heart. Premier Minville's pledge to implement economic reforms brought optimism to many, and there were signs that labor strikes starting in Alma could be the catalyst for change.

A few days after the strikes in Alma and elsewhere began, Minister of Labor Jean Drapeau would urge Minville to agree to legalize unions as well as to push legislation regulating child labor, — as many young workers to the age of ten and eleven were involved in the strikes.

November 21st arrived, a little over a week since the strikes had first erupted. The tense atmosphere in Quebec was palpable as the Premier prepared to announce the Loi sur les syndicats et la réglementation du travail, a pivotal decision that would once again allow labor unions in the province. Along with this came restrictions on child labor, a long-awaited change for many. The minimum working age was now set at 14, although exceptions were made for certain employment opportunities such as children working in family businesses.

The Law has shown that the Minville administration is not opposed to moving against what was gospel under Maurice Duplessis, though more cynical observers such as the Liberal Party may view the change as meer opportunism to strengthen the Union nationale with industrial workers, its’ weakest consistuency.

[Child Labor changed to Regulated; Unions changed to Legal but unprotected]