After the First World War, Canadian soldiers who risked their lives returned to Canada only to find that they were not rewarded for their bravery and that they there were no more job opportunities for them. them. Six years had already passed since the start of the First World War, but the economic situation was only getting worse. Women and foreigners were forced to give up their jobs to allow veterans to work in jobs that were often located in dirty, dark, and uncomfortable conditions. This led to the development of unions; organizations that aim for better living and working conditions. These unions eventually became an unstoppable force that formed political parties for the people and supported workers throughout the 1920s and 1960s. On the other hand, unions provoked subtle violence, such as the General Strike of Winnipeg in 1919 and the asbestos strike in 1949. Despite some violence and high labor costs, unions significantly improved the working and living conditions of citizens, physically, economically and social. and socially. Unions had existed since MacDonald's legislation in 1881, but the organizations were small. Unions grew rapidly during World War I; growing from a few hundred to 378,000 members in 1919, as the population protested against conscription. A total of 400 strikes took place that year for the welfare of the people, one of which was a general strike. Previously, craft unions existed for specialized craft jobs, but they eventually focused on industrial issues as industrial machines were introduced into the workforce and most workplaces. With these technological advancements, work has been completed more efficiently. In the 1940s, "white collar" and services also formed...... middle of paper ......services. Canada Pension Plan. December 5, 2011. http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/isp/cpp/cppinfo.shtml#a25 (accessed December 11, 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 December 11, 2011). Garfield Newman, et al. “Canada, a developing nation”. 185 186. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, 2000. Khephra. Canadian labor from 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).