Hello Girls go on strike

Saturday, 10 October 2009 00:00

October 10, 1906. In the headline, they were referred to as the "Hello Girls," and when all 10 went on strike, Edmonton's telephone system was tied up for 20 minutes, as reported in this item from the Edmonton Bulletin.

The blow fell with a suddenness that left city officials unprepared to meet the emergency and the tie-up was complete.

Yesterday a letter was published in the city papers setting forth the demands made by the girls. There are 10 operators employed on the switchboard and they have been getting from $25 to $35 a month and they demanded a minimum of $40 per month. The letter to the commissioners asked for an answer by noon today. No answer was forthcoming and at 2 o'clock all the operators on the board walked out and left the office deserted except for one lonely lineman, who held the board and answered subscribers with the stereotyped expression for all, "Nothin' doin'. Strike on."

The girls marched to the city offices in a body and presented their case to Mr. Pace, the only commissioner who was in the building at the time. Mr. Pace promised to recommend a raise and asked the girls to go back to work. Acting on the promise by Mr. Pace, the girls returned to work and the merry jingle of the little bell is heard throughout the land again.