UAW and the Automakers

On Feb. 11, 1937, thousands of sit-down strikers paraded out of General Motors' plants to celebrate in the streets of Flint, having won an difficult 44-day standoff that ended with a contract recognizing the UAW as the bargaining unit for GM workers.
The Sit-Down Strike of 1936-37 gave credence to the fledgling union and created better working conditions for generations who would have better lives and staid, blue-collar jobs. It also generated strong emotions about unions -- positive and negative. This is an event that changed the way labor and management relate. This was a very dramatic event, and you just can't overstate its importance.