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Book Review
| Roger Stonebanks, Fighting For Dignity: the Ginger Goodwin Story, Canadian Committee on Labour History, St. John's, 2004. pp. + 206 pp. US $26.95 paper.
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| There are some academics who believe that the sum of human experience is a few econometric equations drawn from several sets of available data. This book provides a refreshing alternative to the sterility of some academic debate and research by providing insights into the rich life and death of a Canadian labour activist, Ginger Goodwin. This biography reminds us of how an individual can shape events and the lives of others. |
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Ginger Goodwin was born in the Yorkshire coalfields and migrated to Canada, where he worked in the mines of Cape Breton and British Columbia (BC). Goodwin enjoyed playing soccer and was an active union member. He joined the United Mine Workers of America and played a leading role in the labour movement during the 1912–14 Big Strike for union recognition in the Vancouver Island coalfields of BC. Goodwin later worked at the world's largest non-ferrous smelter of the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company (CMSC) at Trail, BC. Here his fellow workers elected him secretary of the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers. In 1917, during the First World War, he led a strike over the eight hour day that lasted a month. |
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The issue of military conscription provided the context for Ginger Goodwin's death. As in Australia this was a bitter issue, but the Conservative Canadian federal government decided to proceed with conscription in spite of widespread political protest. The authorities initially exempted Goodwin from military conscription on the basis of ill-health. During the 1917 strike, however, Goodwin was suddenly recalled for re-examination by the recruitment authorities and pronounced fit to fight overseas. There is some evidence that the CMSC may have been involved in the re-examination of Goodwin. After unsuccessful appeals against the decision he went into hiding in nearby mountains. While on the run, he was shot and killed. His death provoked a general strike in Vancouver, but the case against his killer was later dismissed by a grand jury. |
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Roger Stonebanks gives an excellent account of the life, death and times of Goodwin, despite the destruction of state archives relating to conscription. He also provides a very good overview of the legal proceedings concerning his death. One chapter, written by prominent BC criminal lawyer Adrian Brooks, presents a fictional account of the criminal trial of Goodwin's killer if it had proceeded. While I am not a great fan of counter-factual history, the chapter does provide interesting insights into criminal justice system of the time and highlights changes since then. While there are footnotes, the author could have provided more referencing for other historians to follow up a number of interesting issues raised in the book. Australian readers may also be interested in the references to Jack Kavanagh, who crossed paths with Goodwin and later became prominent in the Australian labour movement. |
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Overall I found the book very readable. It provides insights into Canadian labour history at a number of levels. The Canadian Committee for Labour History should be congratulated for another excellent publication in a series that finds a voice for labour historians outside academia. |
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| University of Sydney |
GREG PATMORE | |
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