The culmination of a series of labour grievances aggravated by the First World War, led to most of Winnipeg's unionized and unorganized workers staying off the job for six weeks in May and June of 1919 in support of striking metal workers. Demonstrations following the arrest of the strike leaders ended in a bloody confrontation between police and strike supporters. This general strike remains a pivotal event in the history of the Canadian labour movement: it marked a growing awareness of the strength of organized labour and led to its increased involvement in civic, provincial and federal politics.