80th anniversary, 1936-37 Flint Sit-Down Strike and first UAW-GM contract – Dec. 30, 2016-Feb. 11, 2017
Posted 12.30.2016
(Photo credit: Sheldon Dick - Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress LC-USF34-040028-D), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2283952
WHAT: On Dec. 30, 1936, auto workers began the historic 44-day Sit-Down Strike in Flint, MI. The strike lasted until Feb. 1937. The Flint Sit-Down Strike is recognized as a major catalyst for labor organization across the country.
WHO: Workers from General Motors' Fisher Body Plants 1 and 2, and eventually Chevy Plant 4 which was the largest plant that GM owned at the time. The workers took over the plants for 44 days in this historic event which caused GM to not only recognize the union but to agree to the first UAW-GM contract which happened on Feb. 11, 1937.
Related Content:
Mlive: Article and photo gallery on 80th anniversary of Flint Sit Down Strike.
In 2017, a unique confluence of organized labor milestones will be recognized through a public awareness effort called, “Building the Engine: Auto and Labor, 1932-1937.”
With informative programs, publications and events, regional partners including the MotorCities National Heritage Area and the Michigan Labor History Society will present the story of how these events laid the foundation for organized labor in the auto industry and beyond.
To navigate labor anniversaries being commemorated as part of this effort, click on the links below.
80th anniversary, 1936 Kelsey Hayes Sit-Down Strike – Dec. 14, 2016
80th anniversary, 1936-37 Flint Sit-Down Strike and first UAW-GM contract – Dec. 30, 2016-Feb. 11, 2017
85th anniversary, 1932 Ford Hunger March – March 7, 2017
80th anniversary, 1937 Battle of the Overpass – May 26, 2017
80th anniversary, 1937 Lansing Labor Holiday – June 7, 2017
Special publications, events, educational programming and more will be presented under the identity of “Building the Engine,” including a series of blog posts featured on the MotorCities website. Other information about the program will be listed on motorcities.org as well as the Michigan Labor History Society website at mlhs.wayne.edu.