Shortly before the United Association of Journeymen Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters and Steam Fitters’ Helpers of the United States and Canada was formed in late 1889, a group of steamfitters in Toronto obtained a charter from the Knights of Labour to form Assembly No.4614, and soon after, a small band of the city’s plumbers organized into Assembly No. 5493. When those locals were established in 1885 and 1886, respectively, the city’s steamfitters and plumbers were working at their trades 60 to 70 hours per week for less than 20 cents an hour in wages. Click here or on the image below to read more.
