Stuff You Missed in History Class SYMHC Classics: Flint Sit-down Strike
Mar 22, 2025
The podcast dives into the powerful Flint Sit-down Strike of 1936, where autoworkers boldly confronted General Motors for better conditions. It highlights the significant struggle for labor rights during the Great Depression and the transformative impact of the National Labor Relations Act. Listeners learn about GM's aggressive tactics against unionization and the intense solidarity among workers, particularly women, during this pivotal labor movement. Ultimately, it showcases how this strike helped shape modern labor relations in the automotive industry.
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Sit-Down Strike Advantages
- Sit-down strikes, unlike traditional walkouts, allowed fewer workers to control the entire workplace.
- This prevented companies from hiring replacements, offering some protection from violence.
GM's Anti-Union Tactics
- GM actively worked against unionization efforts, spending heavily on labor detective services, including the Pinkertons.
- Their tactics involved investigating organizers, planting spies, and harassing workers.
Women's Role in the Strike
- The strike organizers in Flint dictated that only men could occupy the plants.
- Women played a vital role, organizing the Women's Auxiliary, which provided food, laundry, and childcare.