WAHC

For centuries, working people have found ways of pushing back against injustice on the job, and in society. The labour “fightbacks” explored in this first instalment of Work In Progress include collective actions like strikes, challenging racism and colonialism, and using art to make statements that push back against those in power. They illustrate how […]

Labour music histories from WAHC's permanent collection Curated by Ada BierlingThroughout labour history, music has been a tool to inspire, educate, and mobilize workers. Solidarity Forever: Workers’ Sounds and Songs delves into histories of labour songs by showcasing musical moments from WAHC’s permanent collection.From traditional labour songs set to Gospel tunes and contemporary tracks about […]

We are excited to unveil the second edition of the interactive mapping project, Off the Beaten Path, crafted by the students from the School of Labour Studies at McMaster University. By collecting the personal stories and historical events of everyday Hamiltonians the students are able to explore social issues through the lens of labour and race. […]

As articles of clothing associated with the working class, t-shirts are vehicles of political and cultural communication through design, image, and text. Within the labour movement, t-shirts help working people spread awareness about campaigns, strikes, and issues of concern. On a picket line or in a parade, workers wearing t-shirts are a powerful symbol of […]

How do working people obtain the necessities of life while doing work essential to the functioning of society? These labour and activist histories capture how workers have organized to create dignified lives in their communities. They include building thriving working-class neighbourhoods, sex workers nurturing community care, and organizing movements to support racialized and migrant workers. […]

A solo exhibition by Anahí González Para Ayer/Due Yesterday explores the urgency that shapes labour within trade and production networks connecting Mexico and Canada. The title comes from a common expression in Mexican workplaces: para ayer (“due yesterday”), a phrase used when something is expected immediately—as if it should have been finished yesterday. Through photography, installation, […]