International Woodworkers of America

Audio interview with Mohinder Singh Gidda conducted by MB. Mohinder Singh Gidda is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1970. Gidda began working at the Snowcrest Canary in Abbotsford, B.C when he arrived in Canada. He discusses his work experience in both farms and sawmills. Gidda also discusses the people he worked with, his experience living in bunkhouses, his unions experiences, and the racism he faced over the years.

Transcription of interview with Mohinder Singh Gidda in which he discusses his personal history and immigration to Canada in 1970. Gidda began working at Snowcrest Canary in Abbotsford, B.C and worked in both farms and sawmills in Canada. He also discusses the people he worked with, his experiences living in bunkhouses, his union experiences, and the racism he faced over the years.

Narrative of Mohinder Singh Gidda discusses his personal work background, life in India, and immigration to Canada in 1970. Gidda mentions his marriage and working in both farms and various sawmills in B.C. He discusses his wages, working conditions and encounters with racism. He further discusses stories about union debates and his support for the International Woodworkers of America (IWA). Gidda concludes by reflecting on his past.

Audio interview with Jinder Heer conducted by MB. Jinder Heer is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1970. In the interview he discusses his family/personal history, as well as his work in sawmills and as a cab driver. Heer mentions how he was also a shareholder and not just an employee. He also discusses his wages, working conditions and marriage. Heer also mentions buying his first home, his leisure time activities, as well as the community events he attended such as Vaisakhi and sports tournaments.

Transcription of interview with Jinder Heer in which he discusses his family/personal history and his work in sawmills and as a cab driver. Heer further mentions how he was also a shareholder and not just an employee. He discusses his wages, working conditions and marriage. Heer also mentions buying his first home, his leisure time activities and community events he attended such as Vaisakhi and sports tournaments.

Audio interview with Jasbir Singh Bains conducted by IA. Jasbir Singh Bains is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1969. He first began working at a farm in Canada. Bains further speaks about his wages and the working conditions, including how he had to work in colder climates. He mentions his experience living in bunkhouses and the food that was served. He also mentions the racism he and others experienced, and recounts a particular incident he encountered.

Transcription of interview with Jasbir Bains in which he discusses his immigration process to Canada, working on farms, railways and sawmills. He further speaks about his wages and the working conditions, including how he had to work in colder climates. He mentions his experience living in bunkhouses and the food that was served. He also mentions the racism he and others experienced, and recounts a particular incident he encountered.

Narrative of Jasbir Singh Bains discussing his immigration process to Canada, his working conditions on farms, railways and sawmills. Bains also mentions his experience living in bunkhouses, his wages and the food that was served. He also mentions the racism he experienced and recounts one particular racist incident he experienced. He concludes by discussing his retirement.

Audio interview with Jagtar Singh Mann conducted by SB. Jagtar Singh Mann is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1980. His first job was at Shake and Shingle sawmill in Abbotsford. He also discusses his educational background, life in India, experience working in sawmills in Canada and type of positions he held at the sawmill. Mann also discusses a recent human rights issue he fought for, when he was ordered to remove his turban to work and he refused.

Transcription of interview with Jagtar Singh Mann in which he discusses his educational background, life in India, experience working in sawmills in Canada and type of positions he held at the sawmill. Mann also discusses a recent human rights issue he fought for, when he was ordered to remove his turban to work and he refused.