d on Sunday April 9, 1899. The first contract between Local 107 and the Hamilton Street Railway Company was signed on June 3, 1900. A mere six years after this first contract, the union would be faced with management's refusal to honour a joint-drafted contract. This refusal would lead to a number of grievances filed by the union to arbitration, and would eventually lead to strike action by Local 107.
             On August 24, 1906 John Theaker President of Local 107 and Alex Lamond Secretary of Local 107 signed a contract with C.K. Green manager of the Hamilton Street Railway. The contract was comprised of three concessions; all top rated employees wages would increase to 20 cents per hour. A top rated employee is an individual with 3 years of service with the Hamilton Street Railway, these individuals were earning, prior to the contract, 18 cents per hour. Extra motormen were guaranteed $6.00 per week as long as they did not fail to report during the week. All work over the regular 60-hour schedule and Sunday work would be paid 2 cents per hour premium pay. The agreement was signed by both parties, however the management refused to honor the contract, resulting in the union to take a grievance to arbitration. When the award came down on September 29, 1906 in favour of the union, the company again refused to comply.
             Once again the dispute went to arbitration. The workers were seeking a two-turn shift at a rate of $2.00 per day. Management was seeking a long hour schedule at lower rates and a three-year agreement. The Board awarded management the wage and the term of agreement was set at two and two third years. The union gained the two-turn shift and had inserted a clause requiring the workday to be completed in twelve consecutive hours. Once again management refused to honor the contract and the union gave management another week to implement the new schedules.
             A membership meeting held on Sunday November 4, 1906, f...