Sit-Down to Shutdown:
The eight decade war between General Motors and the UAW is one of the most impactful and poorly understood episodes in American history. 'Sit-Down to Shut Down' is an engaging presentation that explores its ongoing cultural ramifications.
In the frozen winter, at the end of December 1936, local autoworkers made their first stand with the UAW, when they shut down Flint Fisher Body Plant #1. Quickly, the movement spread to other plant locations, leading to violent clashes with the police and the eventual involvement of the National Guard.
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When Flint’s own Billy Durant created General Motors out of whole cloth it was a cause set in motion in more ways than one.
His company opened the door for a new way of life for millions of American workers. However, that shared equity went missing to a degree when Durant was ousted from the firm. By the Depression, the structural imbalance exacerbated workers frustrations. It opened the door to the Sit-Down Strike of 1936-37, which on the heels of the Wagner Act, established the United Auto Workers as the single bargaining force for American auto workers. By the end of WW2, America was experiencing prosperity unseen by any previous generations. This led to more labor strife as workers sought to get a larger piece off that pie. By the end of the 50s their success had transformed the UAW from a blue collar bargaining unit to a financial, cultural and political powerhouse in its own right. Meanwhile GM strode the earth like a colossus. The greatest corporation the world had ever seen controlled American business, and indeed in countless ways. The stage was set for a new level of conflict and confrontation between two heavyweights. The story of the eight decade war between General Motors and the UAW is one of the most important, and poorly understood in American history. Coming to grips with the wins and losses resulting from it, and the real story of its engagement and battles, are a way to help lift the way to the future for both labor, management, and businesses, large and small, everywhere. From this explosive, historic beginning, General Motors and the UAW have continued this struggle between company and union. Good and bad repercussions, including better working conditions, wages, and benefits for the worker, but also plant closings, and the eventual bankruptcy of the company. Presenter Gary Fisher's balanced look at the short- and long-term ramifications of this struggle, examines ultimately how they've effected his hometown of Flint. |
Presenter: Gary L. Fisher Gary L. Fisher
Gary L. Fisher, local historian, radio show host, and wealth advisor, examines the economic impact of the tumultuous and fascinating relationship between General Motors and the United Autoworkers (UAW).
Fisher is a fourth generation Flintstone, and son, grandson, and great-grandson, of UAW autoworkers. When he came of age to start earning his way in the world, there were very few jobs left at the "shop" for men or women in his generation. He took a different route, encouraged by his parents, and aimed for an education at the University of Michigan. His career path led him into the financial world, where he practices as a wealth advisor out of the Mott Foundation Building. His perspective is deeply personal, and highly informed. |
One of our venues, the Francis Willson Thompson Library Atrium at the University of Michigan-Flint's campus
