December 19 Solidarity at Work and in the Community

On this day in labor history, the year was 1945. 

That was the day workers ended their ninety-nine-day strike against the Ford Motor Company in Windsor, Ontario. 

Just across the river from Detroit, workers from the UAW local 200 fought and won a union shop and dues check off. 

They had to fight hard to get it. 

The plant was organized during World War II. 

Workers put off many demands to help with the war effort.

After the war, Ford refused to agree to a new contract and laid off 1,500 workers. 

Workers voiced their rage and issued new demands. 

They wanted vacation and layoff pay, better grievance procedures and medical benefits. 

They also wanted compensation for work on Sundays and holidays. 

When Ford wouldn’t budge, 14,000 workers took to the picket line and went on strike. 

By October, they also shut down the powerhouse that brought light, heat and power to the plant. 

Management complained machinery would be damaged if the power remained off. 

The Ontario Provincial Police and Royal Canadian Mounted Police were called in to reopen the plant. 

When they arrived, they found a barricade of some 2000 cars and trucks reinforcing the picket lines. 

Then, 8,000 workers from amalgamated Local 195, which included Chrysler workers, walked out in sympathy, joined the picket lines and stayed out for a month. 

The women’s auxiliary organized to feed strikers. 

They had financial support from unions, churches and small businesses from across the country. 

Returning soldiers marched in solidarity rallies along with much of the community.

Because of this strong show of support negotiations were jump-started and soon workers were ratifying a new contract.

This victory allowed what is now UNIFOR 584 to win unprecedented gains for its members for more than three decades.