Sit-Down: The General Motors Strike of 1936-1937

by Sidney Fine

In the first documented book-length study of this violent confrontation, Sidney Fine portrays the dramatic events of the 1936-37 strike that catapulted the UAW into prominence and touched off a wave of sit-down strikes across the land. Basing his account on an impressive variety of manuscript sources, the author analyzes the strategy and tactics of GM and the UAW, describes the life of the workers in the occupied plants, and examines the troubled governmental and public reaction to the alleged breakdown of law and order in the strikes. In addition, Dr. Fine provides vivid portraits of Governor Frank Murphy and the major figures on both sides of the conflict: Alfred Sloan, Jr., William Knudson, Robert Travis, Roy Victor, and Walter Reuther, Homer Martin, and Wyndham Mortimer. Of particular interest today are the author's concluding remarks regarding the similarities between the sit-down strike movement of the 1930's and the civil rights movement and the college sit-ins of our own era.

The GM sit-down strike marks the close of one era of labor-management relations in the United States and the beginning of another. Professor Fine has provided us with the definitive account of that momentous conflict.

Genres: History, Labor

472 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 1969

About the author

A historian of modern America, Sidney Fine taught at the University of Michigan. He earned his B.A. from Western Reserve University in 1942 and his M.A. (1944) and Ph.D. (1948) in history from the University of Michigan. His areas of interest included history of the American labor movement, the New Deal, and the history of Michigan and its political environment.

Reviews

[George Kasnic · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent history of the eponymous strike which launched the labor movement in America, empowering workers, igniting economic growth, and creating the middle class. Its effects continue to resound today and the bravery of these workers, the tactics of the oppressor, and the core outcomes are brought to the fore in this book.

The author examines the laws, actions, tactics and strategies employed by the protagonists. In providing a pragmatic analysis he shows what was possible and what was achieved. The narrative is skillfully written and compelling, engaging the reader throughout. Details are supported with a compendium of notes.

For me an important perspective here is the friction between property rights and human rights posed by the sit down strike. In a modern America where property seems to be given primacy over person, this book is a reminder that it does not have to be that way, has not always been that way, and should not be that way. People are more important than things, even your things. Remember that.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the UAW and the Flint sit down strike. I was surprised that the UAW had very little representation in the GM plants when the sit down was initiated. A small number of sit downers in critical departments could shut down a facility. Expansion to the Chevy 4 plant was a late move of desperation when the strike had reached a stalemate. The membership increased once the sucess was evident. The CIO and AFL were affiliated but not particularly cooperative with the AFL opposing exclusive representation for UAW at the auto plants. John L Lewis of the CIO and UMW was instrumental in the initial contract with GM.

[Mark Bowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sidney Fine, Sit-Down (1969)
1. Details the most important strike of the 1930s: the General Motors sit-down strike in Flint Michigan
2. Discusses the strategy and tactics of the UAW and GM