The Button Project

Title

The Button Project

Subject

Labour union buttons

Description

The Button Project is an online exhibition by the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources Library that will explore labour history through pinback buttons. We will focus on Canadian examples in order to examine protests, boycotts, unions, and movements through material culture.

Creator

Fiona Kovacaj

Source

IRHR Library button collection

Publisher

Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources

Contributor

Fiona Kovacaj

Language

English

Collection Items

I've cut into Eaton's button
A rectangular button that shows a cut-up Eaton's account card with the phrase: "I've cut into Eaton's". Has Allied Printing Trades Council union label, which indicates that it is union-made. There is the number '9' next to this label that represents…

RWDSU Boycott Eaton's button
Blue and white round button with the slogan "Boycott Eaton". In the middle there is an RWDSU logo with clasped hands. Below the logo is "AFL CIO" and "CLC". There is a small union label in the crease that is unclear but has the number '9' next to it.

Boycott National Post button
Round button with black background. Text in white reads "Boycott National Post". There is an unclear union label below the text.

CUPW Boycott the postal code button
A large, round button with a white background and blue text. In the center It has an older CUPW logo with a globe that shows Canada. Encircling the logo is "Boycott the Postal Code Boycottons le code postal". In the far edges, near the crease is the…

Shop Canadian button
A round button with a white background and red maple leaf tag with the words "Shop Canadian". Along the crease: 'MFG by H.A.S. Novelties Ltd Toronto'

TUA UAW A woman's place is her union button
A round orange button with the phrase "A Woman's Place is in Her Union". Below there is the UAW logo and below that a union label with the number 9.

CUPW International Women's Day Button
A light blue pinback button with the phrase "a woman's place is in the struggle" in the middle, encircled by illustrated figures of women holding hands. Encircling the figures are the words: 'CUPW International Women's Day - March 8th'. In the…

Women in Trades button
A blue pinback button with the phrase: "WOMEN IN TRADES" at the top. In the middle, there is the gender symbol for women shaped like a screw.

Women in Trades button
A dark blue pinback button with the phrase: "WOMEN IN TRADES" at the top. In the middle, there is the gender symbol for women with a fist holding a wrench.

CAW TCA International Women's Day Button
A white button with black text and a red rose. The text in the middle reads: "Change Changement". The text along the top edge reads: "International Women's Day. March 8, 1991 - La Journée internationale des femmes. le 8 mars 1991. Next to the rose…

CUPE New Democrats button
A white rectangular button with the phrase: "CUPE + New Democrats IT ALL ADDS UP". Symbols are in red. In the fold it has an Allied Printing Trades Council Label with the shop number 9.

Bye By Mike, Ottawa 1998 button
A blue and white button with the text: "Ottawa October 17 1998 - Adieu Mike Bye By Mike". The text in the fold reads: "Made in Canada by H.A.S. Novelties LTD Toronto (416) 593 1101.

Harris Has to Go OPSEU button
A yellow button with text that reads: "HARRIS HAS TO GO". Below there is the slogan for the OPSEU SEFPO. The text in the fold reads: "Cavan Advertising 449-6265"

Writers Against Mike Harris button
A beige button with text that reads: "Writers against Mike Harris". It has a geometric decorative image. There is an illegible symbol with letters in the fold.

Free Day Care...not Free Trade button
A pink, white and blue button with text that reads: "Free Day Care...not Free Trade". The first half of the text is in pink and the second half in blue. A pink border surrounds the button. At the bottom of the button there is an Allied Printing…

Free Canada Trade Mulroney button
A white button with text in red and blue that reads: "Free Canada Trade Mulroney". In the fold there is a Allied Printing Trades Council Label and the following text: "Cavan Spec. Advtg. 416 449-6265"

CUPW The Struggle Continues button
A blue button with white text that reads: "The Struggle Continues". Along the bottom edge there is green text that reads: "Canadian Union of Postal Workers". In the fold there is a union label and the text "Made in Canada".

General Strike Defend Our Social Programs button
A button with a grey and white speckled background. The text reads: "General Strike - Defend our Social Programs". In the fold: "CAMPAIGN FOR A GENERAL STRIKE (OTTAWA) (613) 224-9303 - COMITÉ DE SANS-EMPLOI (MONTRÉAL-CENTRE) (514) 596-7094.

End Contracting Out button
A white button with blue text that reads: "END CONTRACTING OUT". The orange and blue image in the middle shows two hands emptying a dustpan full of coins and bills. In the fold, there is a International Printing Pressman and Assistants Union label…

Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value button
An orange and white button with the image of a scale. The text reads: "EQUAL PAY FOR WORK OF EQUAL VALUE". Below the text there is an illegible union label.
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