Dec 30 2008
Subversive Historian – 12/30/08
The GM Sit-Down Strike of 1936-1937 by Subversive Historian Gabriel San Roman
Seventy-two years ago on this day in people’s history, General Motor autoworkers began a sit-down strike. On December 30th, 1936, members of the relatively newly formed United Autoworkers Union decided to lock themselves in Flint Michigan’s Fisher Body plant #1. GM had been planning to move operations to another location where unionism was weaker. Instead of walking outside the closed plant with pickets in hand, the workers opted instead to sit-down inside until their demands were met. Into the New Year, the Flint police tried to stop a food delivery to the encamped workers on January 11th 1937 and a battle for the gates of the plant ensued. After both sides sustained injuries, the workers maintained control of the plant. Later that month, a judge ordered the workers out, but the union uncovered that he held more than $150,000 in GM stock.
The great sit-down strike would end the following month in victory for the UAW which gained recognition and soaring membership numbers as a result going to show that a good old-fashioned sit-down strike beats a corporate bailout anyday.
For Uprising, this is your truth professa’ saying it’s no mystery why they conceal our history!
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