James Dunsmuir ordered for the relocation of workers to a better home yet workers still resented him for the low wages and dangerous conditions that he imposed upon them.
In the 42 years that the Dunsmuirs owned the collieries, they never recognized their employees' attempts to unionize or create better working conditions. Threats, spies, blacklists and scab labour were among the tactics used by Dunsmuir to break strikes. When he could not break a strike with scab labour, he used his influence to have the provincial government call in the militia. Dunsmuir stated during a royal commission: "I object to all unions...They simply take the management of the mine...I want the management of my own works, and if I recognize the union, I cannot have that." Dunsmuir provoked further rage when he ordered workers to relocate their homes at a new pit. 
