This short documentary brings together the memories of strikers, scholars, and union officials to uncover the history of the 1978 Fleck Strike—a critical moment for both the feminist and labour movements in Canada. Through interviews and never-before-seen images, “They Called It The Butcher Shop” invites you to see the Fleck Strike through the strikers’ eyes. 

“They Called It The Butcher Shop” is the debut project of historian and filmmaker Lauren Stoyles. The film was produced with the support of the Huron Community History Centre.

In 1978, in Huron Park, Ontario, the women of Fleck Manufacturing walked off of the job and into the history books. Fighting for better wages, safer working conditions, and union security, the strikers embarked on what would become a pivotal strike for both feminism and the labour movement. For five months the strikers faced backlash and police violence, but they also forged new alliances and built community. “They Called It The Butcher Shop: The Fleck Strike In Images” amplifies the voices of these women as they tell their story of struggle, solidarity, and sisterhood.

Lauren Stoyles is a Master's student in Public History at Carleton University in Ottawa. Her research explores the relationship between labour history and women's activism. Stoyles is particularly interested in how different forms of storytelling, from film to museum curation, can support the efforts of social movements. 

Growing up in Ontario, Stoyles developed a passion for delving into the histories of Canadian communities. She is excited to continue to explore collaborative research methodologies while sharing important stories.