Ford Rouge Factory Tour

1
Henry Ford was a hero to many working-class
people. His company offered high wages and jobs
to many including veterans, African Americans and
people with disabilities. However, during the
Great Depression of the 1930s, work rules became
stricter, wages were cut, people lost jobs and
supervisors often bullied workers. Workers
everywhere were organizing unions to protect
their rights.
United Autoworkers of America Billboard (0-8738)
2
In 1934, the Congress of Industrial Organizations
(CIO) attempted to unionize mass-production
industries across the nation such as textiles,
steel, rubber and automobiles. More than 1.5
million workers engaged in work stoppages.
Union Members Distributing Leaflets at the Rouge
(P.833.68765.21)
3
After devastating strikes in 1936 and 1937,
General Motors and Chrysler agreed to union
contracts with the newly formed CIO-affiliated
United Auto Workers (UAW). Of the Big Three
auto makers, only Ford refused to accept the
union.
Ford Motor Company Brochure claiming there is no
labor troublewithin the Ford organization
(64.167.951.7)
4
In early 1937, union supporters at the Rouge
began holding rallies and handing out newspapers
and leaflets to workers as they arrived or went
home after a days work.
Unionism not Fordism Leaflet, 1936 (64.167.354.1)
5
These rallies could be risky since Ford security
men and Dearborn police tried to physically
prevent organizing efforts on or near company
property.
UAW auxiliary, the Emergency Brigade (EB)
WomanSpeaking to Ford Security (O.8966)
6
Woman, both as workers and as wives of workers,
played important roles in the union effort.
Preparing to Distribute Leaflets at the Rouge.
(833.69565-C)
7
Many women were directly involved in planning and
conducting leafleting, rallies and strikes.
Rally at the Rouge (833.69368-Q)
8
The main leaflet distribution point was Gate 4 on
Miller Road. The company built a pedestrian
overpass linking the gate with a streetcar line
across the street and then leased the overpass to
the Detroit Street Railway Commission.
Overpass at the Rouge (P.O. 8988)
9
In April 1937, the U. S. Supreme Court upheld the
Wagner Act protecting workers rights to
unionize. Many workers were upset when Henry
Ford publicly announced Well never recognize
the United Automobile Workers Union or any other
union. Hundreds of union sympathizers were
arrested in an attempt to intimidate workers and
keep the union out of the Rouge plant.
Arrest of UAW Officers, 1938 (0-8889)
10
On May 26, 1937, more than 100 women distributed
leaflets along Miller Road. Union leaders Walter
Reuther, Richard Frankensteen, Robert Kanter and
J. J. Kennedy watched from the top of the
overpass.
Union Leaders on the Overpass, May 26, 1937
(833.68529-17)
11
Members of the thuggish Ford Service Department
attacked the union leaders. Ford executive
Harry Bennett specifically hired ex-convicts to
intimidate workers. Frankensteen and Reuther were
beaten bloody.
Ford Service Men Attacking Union Leaders, May 26,
1937 (0-4951)
12
Ford security men (often called goons) also
assaulted the leafleters, inflicting dozens of
injuries including a broken back and one
fractured skull.
Frankensteen and Reuther after the Battle of
the Overpass (833.68529)
13
The Battle of the Overpass,as it became known,
was a turning point. Public opinion turned
quickly in the unions favor however, Ford
continued its opposition to the union organizers.
UAW Billboard, 1938 (P.833.69737)
14
Union organizers continued their pressure on Ford
from 1937 to 1941.
Ford Workers Picketing (0-4622)
15
On April 1, 1941 Rouge workers, fed up with the
companys anti-union violence, spontaneously shut
down the plant, sabotaged Ford equipment and
walked off the job. Ironically, workers used
their cars to completely surround the Rouge
during the 1941 strike.
Aerial View of Rouge, 1941 (0-4564)
16
Finally, on May 21, 1941 Ford workers had the
opportunity to vote for or against the union.
The UAW-CIO received 70 of the more than 78,000
votes cast, a more conservative union received
27 and Henry Fords proposal for no union at all
received just 3.
Workers Voting on the Union, 1941 (833.75664.E)
17
Even after the union was recognized, workers
showed their strength and support by gathering at
Gate 4 on June 1, 1941 to hear about the ongoing
contract negotiations.
Union Rally, 1941 (95.97.4)
18
The Battle of the Overpass was just one day in
the five-year struggle to unionize the Ford Motor
Company. Michigan Governor Murray Van Wagoner
congratulates U.A.W. President R. J. Thomas for
negotiating a contract with Ford as Harry
Bennett, Head of the Ford Service Department,
looks on.
Union Negotiations Completed, 1941 (0.8927)