Union Zindabad! — South Asian Canadian Labour History in British Columbia
Union Zindabad! South Asian Canadian Labour History in British Columbia focuses on the history of South Asian1 immigrants as workers, and their relationship to the labour movement in BC.
Union Zindabad! South Asian Canadian Labour History in British Columbia focuses on the history of South Asian1 immigrants as workers, and their relationship to the labour movement in BC.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
“So, they knew that there was discriminatory
practises by the employer. They knew that they
were not treated with respect and dignity. They
knew what they needed to be united in order to
exert their rights. And I think the IWA did a real
good job.”
“I think through the work of Darshan Singh
Canadian and others to bring that awareness, the
South Asian workers were almost the first ones to
say yes to the union.”
“I think many thanks goes to Darshan Singh
Canadian and those who could go in there, sit
with them in their lunchroom and talk to them in
their living rooms and talk to them
about the benefit of the union.” 12
Despite being an organizer for only
a short time (1940-1948), Sangha left
his mark on the IWA. Not only was
he a successful grassroots organizer,
he was elected as a District Trustee,
attended and spoke at Conventions,
and served on the powerful
Convention Resolutions Committee.
He became a strong voice for minorities
within the union structure.
In 1948, Sangha returned to India.
In his resignation letter to the IWA,
he reminded union members: “One
of the greatest achievements of the
IWA was the uniting of all woodworkers—White,
Indian, Chinese, Japanese—irrespective of race
and color.” 13
Supporting the Franchise
IWA president, Harold Pritchett and organizer
Darshan Singh Sangha, were part of the Khalsa
Diwan Society delegation to the BC Cabinet in
1943, which demanded enfranchisement for South
Asians. They, along with CCF Leader Harold
Winch, made a clear declaration of the mutual
respect and support between Labour, the CCF and
the South Asian community.
IWA President, Harold Pritchett, and Darshan Singh Sangha joined
members of the Khalsa Diwan Society when they met the BC Cabinet
in 1943 to demand the vote for South Asians.
Photo courtesy David Yorke.
12 Harry Bains, interview by Anushay Malik, August 19, 2021. Union Zindabad! Interview Collection.
13 Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, “Ten Years of Darshan in Canada”, in Daudharia, H., ed. Darshan: A Book on
Darshan’s Life and Contribution. (Darshan Singh Sangha ‘Canadian’ Heritage Foundation: 2004), 27-28.
Chapter 5 • International Woodworkers of America (IWA) | 55
Change language