After the First World War, Canadian soldiers who risked their lives returned to Canada, only to realize that they had not been rewarded for their valor and that they were not there were more job opportunities for them. Six years had already passed since the start of World War I, but the economy was only getting worse than before. Women and foreigners were forced to leave their jobs to allow veterans to work in occupations often located in dirty, dark, and uncomfortable conditions. This led to the development of trade unions; organizations that aimed for better living and working standards. Eventually these unions became an unstoppable force that formed political parties for the people and supported workers from the 1920s to the 1960s. On the other hand, unions brought about subtle violence, such as the Winnipeg General Strike in 1919 and the Asbestos Strike in 1949. Despite some violence and high labor costs, unions significantly improved working and living conditions of citizens physically, economically, and socially. Trade unions had existed since MacDonald's legislation in 1881, but the organizations were small. Unions grew rapidly during World War I; starting from several hundred up to 378,000 members in 1919 as people protested against conscription. During that year, a total of 400 strikes occurred for the welfare of the population, including one general strike. Previously, craft unions existed for specialized jobs, but they eventually focused on industrial issues as industrial machinery was introduced into the workforce and most workplaces. With this technological advancement, work was completed more efficiently. In the 1940s the "white collar" and services......middle of paper......services of. Canadian Pension Plan. 5 December 2011. http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/isp/cpp/cppinfo.shtml#a25 (accessed 11 December 2011). Civilization, Canadian Museum of. History of health care in Canada 1914-2007. 2007. http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/medicare/medic01e.shtml (accessed 11 December 2011). Garfield Newman, et al. "Canada, a nation in full expansion." 185.186. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, 2000.Khephra. Canadian Labor 1920 to 1940: Unions Win the Leash. February 12, 2010. http://sophrosyne.radical.r30.net/wordpress/?p=4211 (accessed December 6, 2011).Parks Canada. Parks Canada. April 15, 2009. http://www.pc.gc.ca/culture/proj/tch-cwh/page8.aspx (accessed December 6, 2011).REILLY, J. NOLAN. The Canadian Encyclopedia. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0008649 (accessed December 6, 2011).