Why did the workers go on strike at the GM automobile factory in 1936?

On December 30, 1936, General Motors workers at Fisher Body No. 1 became part of what has been called the most significant strike in American labor history. These workers were fighting for recognition of their union, the United Auto Workers, and to keep their jobs from going to non-union workers.

What happened during the sit down strike?

Sit-down strikes became a favorite tactic of unions during the 1930s. The basic idea was for workers to stop what they were doing on the assembly line and bring all production to a halt. The workers then, in effect, occupied the factory. This lessened the chance of strike-breakers taking over their jobs.

What happened with the General Motors auto workers in Flint Michigan in early 1937?

The 1936–1937 Flint sit-down strike, also known as the General Motors sit-down strike, the great GM sit-down strike, and so on, was a sitdown strike at the General Motors plant in Flint, Michigan, United States.

Why was the Flint sit down strike Dec 1936 to Feb 1937 such an important breakthrough for the CIO?

The Flint Sit-Down Strike is known as the most important strike in American history because it changed the United Automobile Workers (UAW) from a collection of isolated individuals into a major union, ultimately leading to the unionization of the United States automobile industry.

What caused the Flint sit down strike?

The autoworkers were striking to win recognition of the United Auto Workers (UAW) as the only bargaining agent for GM’s workers; they also wanted to make the company stop sending work to non-union plants and to establish a fair minimum wage scale, a grievance system and a set of procedures that would help protect …

Why are sit in strikes illegal?

Strikes unlawful because of misconduct of strikers. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a “sitdown” strike, when employees simply stay in the plant and refuse to work, thus depriving the owner of property, is not protected by the law.

What caused the Flint sit-down strike?

What was the reason General Motors closed their factory in Flint?

Faced with dwindling demand for large cars as more Americans switch to sport utility vehicles, mini-vans and pickup trucks, the General Motors Corporation announced today that it would close its 2,900-employee car factory in Flint, Mich., during the third quarter of 1999.

Are sit-down strikes illegal?

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a “sitdown” strike, when employees simply stay in the plant and refuse to work, thus depriving the owner of property, is not protected by the law.

Who led the Flint sit-down strike?

The two strike leaders, Bob Travis and Roy Reuther, helped to establish committees for cleaning, exercise, security, entertainment, and defense (Michigan State University, n.d.).