History of the Auto
Industry in Michigan
Leading up to the Flint Strike
The early 1900's brought industrial expansion to the state of Michigan, especially in the automotive industry. The Olds Motor Works in Detroit had been founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1899 and, by 1901, the factory was mass-producing Oldsmobiles. Henry Ford organized the Ford Motor Company in 1903. As Detroit became central to the nation's automobile industry, Michigan's population and prosperity increased. Even when the United States entered World War I, the auto industry prospered with the production of trucks, armored vehicles, airplane engines, and other military products. Continuing through the twenties, as the state made highway improvements, the industry and related businesses grew.
Michigan was struck hard by the Great Depression of the 1930's. Hundreds of thousands of workers lost their jobs. During this time, workers in the automobile industry organized the United Automobile Workers Union. In December, 1936, this union went on what was to be the first successful sit-down strike. Strikers demanded a closed shop in which only union members could be hired to the industry and collective bargaining or discussion of differences between company and union representatives. When Fisher and Chevrolet plant officials rejected their demands, the strikers locked themselves inside the plants and, with a crowd of outside support, fought off the police who tried to remove them. The strikers remained in the plant for forty-four days. Finally, the collective bargaining demands were met on February 11, 1937. The strike ended and a labor contract was signed.