A monument commemorating the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike was unveiled this week and MGEU President, Michelle Gawronsky was proud to join other labour activists for a first-hand glimpse.

The 1919 Marquee - a Monument to the Winnipeg General Strike can be found at the corner of Lily Street and Market Avenue, near an area that became known as "Hell's Alley" during the six-week event that saw some 30,000 workers walk off their jobs.

Crafted primarily from weathered steel, the monument echoes structures of the 20th century and was selected by a jury as the winner of a City of Winnipeg design competition to honour the labour movement that resulted in Canada's most famous strike. It features a map of the surrounding area, information about the strike, bench seating and a stage area that can double as a venue for events.

"The 1919 Marquee is a unique and memorable civic monument that will allow us to honour and remember the great sacrifices made by thousands of workers who walked off the job in pursuit of better working conditions for all," said Gawronsky.