Detroit Working History Preview

UAW West Side Local 174 Mural, Walter P. Reuther Library

Diego Rivera Murals at Detroit Institute of the Arts

Famed Mexican artist Diego Rivera created 27 frescoes surrounding a courtyard in the Detroit Institute of the Carts. They depict workers in the Ford Rouge auto plant as well as advances in varous scientific areas.

UAW Solidarity House

Cadillac Square rally

More than 100,000 union supporters gathered in this downtown plaza in 1937 to support workers conducting a wave of sit-down strikes in factories, shops, hotels and restaurants.

Detroit Historical Museum

The "Motor City" section of this museum includes displays about the auto industry as well as exhibits on the making of the automobile, including a body drop from the assembly line at the old General Motors Clark Street plant.

Ford Highland Park Plant

The assembly line was born here in 1913, producing Ford Model-T cars, cutting production time from 728 to 93 minutes per vehicle. This is where thousands of job seekers lined up after Ford announced a $5 a day wage (with conditions). It is also where Matilda Rabinowitz, a young organizer, gave lunchtime speeches from a soapbox outside the plant. The factor, now in disrepair, was designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn.

Hazen S. Pingree Monument

Central United Methodist Church

WoolWorth Strike

GM Flint Sit Down Strike

Click here to view a video on this historyAt 8 p.m. on December 30, 1936, autoworkers occupied the General Motors Fisher Body Plant Number One in Flint, Michigan, by sitting down. The autoworkers were striking to win recognition of the United Auto Workers (UAW). They were also fighting for a fair pay system, a grievance procedure and a safery workplace.The strike lasted 44 days. Workers were victorious when GM agreed to recognize their union and negotiate a first contract.