Historical Development of the Labour Union By JustToxicity Period: 1800 to 2000 Timeline of Historical Developments of Labour Union 1872 The fight for a shorter work-week 1919 The Winnipeg general strike 1940 The Birth of Unemployment Insurance 1945 Windsor's Ford strike 1945 The Rand decision - Everyone who benefits should contribute Six weeks after events of Windsor's Ford strike 1956 Founding of the Canadian Labour Congress 1960 The right to safety at work 1965 Public service workers win bargaining rights 1971 Maternity & parental benefits