Throughout its evolution,Vancouver has had an intimate involvement with British Columbia's labour unions. As the trade union movement grew and evolved, the skilled and organized labour made it possible for Vancouver to be the successful port that it is. Scattered throughout the city are several buildings that are associated with trade unions. Examples are: the "Maritime Labour Centre" at Triumph Street and Victoria Drive, and the "411 Building" at 411 Dunsmuir Street, among others.

Today, the Maritime Labour Centre remains the focal point of rallies, conventions, and conferences. It also has a somewhat lighter side in hosting celebrations, banquets, dances, parties, and weddings.

The Maritime Labour Centre has a history of being home to several labour unions. This includes fishermen, longshoremen, tugboat operaters, shipbuilders, and public service employees. The building has murals with oceanic, industrial and humanist themes.

The cover (at left) shows a detail from a water-color by Fraser Wilson, 1947, and is the artistís view of a workerís waterfront in Vancouver at that time. The painting is the artistís proof for a significant mural that is currently the centre piece for the Maritime Labour Centre.This mural depicting the mid-1940s British Columbia Industrial scene was originally painted on the wall of the Pender Auditorium by Fraser Wilson in 1947.

The building, owned by the Marine Workers and Boiler Makers, Industrial Union Local 1 until its sale in 1969, was at the time the center of trade union activity in Vancouver. It was not until the Pender Hall was to paint over the mural, and after it had changed owner (who now wanted a white background for divided work areas) that a few individuals including Gary Oliver, BCTFís Jim MacFarlan, and Alderman Bruce Yorke, lobbied an application through the 1986 Vancouver Centennial Commission to move and restore the mural for the walls of the newly-built Maritime Labour Centre, the new home of the Vancouver District Labour Council, and several unions including the Boilermakers.

The restored mural was re-dedicated by Fraser Wilson at the opening of the new Maritime Labour Auditorium on January 22, 1988.

You can learn more about Fraser Wilson and his mural in:  "What the People Did, While the Leaders Led". It's written by Gavin Hainsworth as the introduction to:  "Youth, Unions, and You - A Secondary Teacher's Guide to Labour Studies for B.C. Schools".  It's available from Lesson aids online at the BC Teachers' Federation.