The 1930s & Before
We’re starting a new series called UAW Through the Decades. First up, the 1930s. Low-cost vehicle sales are growing, the Wagner Act now protects the right to organize…
The Flint Sit-Down Strike at GM that changed the world started in Cleveland then spread to Flint two days later. The strike ended February 11. In 1948, members began an annual celebration of that victory day by wearing white shirts…

On February 11, 1937, the GM Flint Sit-Down Strike ended after a 44-day occupation of four plants by workers. The strike led to recognition of the UAW by a major automaker and opened an… (Region 1D, Local 659)
The 1940s
Walter Reuther recovers from an assassination attempt while visited by union bakers who made him a cake. One month earlier, a twelve gauge shotgun blasted through his kitchen…
The 1950s
A 10-week strike at International Harvester (now Navistar) leads to a national agreement in November 1950 for 24,000 UAW members. Office and toolroom workers at the McCormick…
The 1960s
In 1963, Walter Reuther proposes a new approach to bargaining where joint union and management committees would work before bargaining to collect data, identify issues and…
The 1970s
The 1970s were a tumultuous time. Propelled by the energy of the civil rights era, much remained to be done. The growth of automation, the influx of foreign-made vehicles…
The 1980s
The 1990s
The Caterpillar strike of the 1990s was one of the longest, and most contentious, labor fights in recent history, which spread from the picket line to Caterpillar corporate offices. The dispute…
The 2000s
Here are are some great resources to learn more about our UAW history. This list will be updated from time to time.
Video
Books
Websites
- Oral histories of Flint Sit Down Strikers: http://flint.matrix.msu.edu
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