Detroit History – The U.A.W. & The Union Movement After the Flint sit-down strikes, G.M. signed papers officially recognizing the U.A.W. as the Union representing its workers. The Next U.A.W. goal, was to have Chrysler sign a similar contract. Sit-down strikes began at Dodge Main in Hamtramck, where 10,000 workers began striking on March 9 th, Within one month, Chrysler had signed a contract just like G.M. As a result, U.A.W. membership grew in Detroit to 200,000, at a time when the city’s population was approximately 1,600,000.

Detroit History – The U.A.W. & The Union Movement The U.A.W. also negotiated contracts with the remaining independent auto-makers, like Packard, Studebaker and Cadillac, but were without a contract for Ford. Henry Ford was not one who believed in Unions, and had announced that he would never recognize the U.A.W. Ford already had a long, ugly history with the Unions and the labor movement: In 1932, workers protesting a lack of jobs and health insurance marched to the River Rouge Plant in Dearborn, in what is now known as the Ford Hunger March.

The Ford Hunger March

As the marchers approached the plant, the Dearborn police fired at them with tear gas, then began beating the marchers and at least one shot was fired. The marchers scattered to a field where they found rocks to throw at the police. The marchers then regrouped and continued marching towards the plant. Fire engines were used to spray marchers with cold water, and when the marchers reached the plant, they were met by both police and members of the Ford “Service Department” who shot and killed three marchers and wounded 22 others.

The Ford Service Department The marchers decided to retreat, but were followed by Harry Bennett of the Service Department, and at least one more marcher, a 16-year-old, was shot and killed. A fifth marcher died months later because of injuries during the march. 25 police officers were injured by rocks and debris that was thrown. Ford’s “Service Department” was an internal security force used to intimidate union organizers. Bennett, was a former boxer who Ford hired to run the department, and who hired other non-auto workers to be enforcers within the factories.

Harry Bennett and The Ford Service Department

The Ford Service Department The Service Department members seen here are assaulting a union organizer.

The Battle of the Overpass So Back to 1937… In 1937, U.A.W. leader Walter Reuther planned a leaflet campaign of Ford Workers at the Rouge Plant. Reuther knew that many Ford employees looked up to Henry Ford and that it also would be dangerous to approach the plant alone. He gathered news paper reporters, clergy members, and 100 members of the U.A.W. women’s auxiliary to hand out the leaflets to employees as they started or ended their shifts. Bennett and his men attacked Reuther and other U.A.W. leaders before the workers had even approached the plant.

The Battle of the Overpass

The Ford employees would not allow the members of the Women’s auxiliary out of their cars, saying that they were protecting Ford’s private property. Ford employees also went after the news reporters, ripping up notebooks and destroying cameras and film. One photographer for the Detroit News was able to hide his photographic plates in the back seat of his car. When the pictures were published, it swung public sympathy to the side of the workers. By 1941, Ford accepted the U.A.W. and signed a contract recognizing them as the auto worker’s union.

The Battle of the Overpass

Diego Rivera – Detroit Industry