Did you know ? That the non-operating unions of C.N.R. and C.P.R went on strike from August 22nd to August 28th, 1950 for higher wages and a 40 hour work week. There were thousands of other Railway employees that were not included in this strike, and after nine days off work, they could claim un-employment insurance. The Federal Government did not want that to happen, so the Federal Government forced the strikers back to work by an Act of Parliament, and ordered both sides to compulsory arbitration. The arbitrator’s ruling granted lower wages than bargained for and implemented the 40 hour week for the unions, starting in 1951. Thus, a new era began for our Canadian society, and that’s how Canada got the 40 hour week. Thanks to our non-op railroaders and railroad management. The non-ops were employees who were not involved in the actual running of trains such as; sectionmen, shopmen, carmen, yardmasters, dispatchers, telegraphers, agents, clerks etc. The Railroads in the United States had gained the 40 hour week about three years previously.