On February 27, 1939, the Supreme Court rules 6-2 in NLRB v. Fansteel Metallurgical Corporation that workers who engage in sit-down strikes—occupying employer property—lose the protections of the National Labor Relations Act and can be lawfully discharged even when the employer has committed unfair …
Supreme Court of the United StatesNational Labor Relations BoardFansteel Metallurgical Corporationorganized laborcorporate employerslabor-rightssupreme-courtsit-down-strikeswagner-actunion-rights
On February 11, 1937, General Motors—the world’s largest industrial corporation—capitulates to the UAW after 44 days of sit-down strikes, signing a one-page agreement that recognizes the United Auto Workers as exclusive bargaining representative for union members for six months and …
United Auto WorkersGeneral MotorsAlfred Sloan Jr.William KnudsenFisher Body workers+2 morelabor-rightsstrikessit-down-strikesuawgeneral-motors+2 more
On January 11, 1937, Flint police and General Motors security forces launch a violent assault on UAW strikers occupying Fisher Body Plant Number 2, attacking with tear gas canisters and live ammunition in an attempt to break the 12-day sit-down strike. The “Battle of the Running …
United Auto WorkersFlint Police DepartmentGeneral Motors security forcesFisher Body Plant 2 strikersBob Travis+2 morelabor-rightspolice-violencestrikessit-down-strikesuaw+2 more
At 8:00 p.m. on December 30, 1936, UAW autoworkers occupy General Motors Fisher Body Plant Number One in Flint, Michigan, launching one of the most significant labor actions in American history—a 44-day sit-down strike that transforms the fledgling United Auto Workers from a collection of isolated …
United Auto WorkersGeneral MotorsFisher Body workersBob TravisWalter Reuther+4 morelabor-rightsstrikessit-down-strikesuawgeneral-motors+2 more