Few can be credited with doing as much work for the labor movement of Eastern Canada as Lukas. Working first as a carpenter for CCU Local 420 from 1910-19, he later became a union organizer that would broker the deal that ended the Winnipeg General Strike.

His later work would include education and labor advocacy, becoming chair of the Canadian Labor Congress, as well as an advocate for worker's rights speaking before parliament more than 100 times until his death in 1958.