Flint’s 1937 Sit-down Strike Saved Wages, Work, and Democracy

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The Flint Sit-Down Strike of 1936–37 wasn’t just a labor dispute — it was a turning point in American history. In this short documentary segment, former Genesee County Prosecutor Arthur Busch breaks down what really happened inside the Fisher Body plants, why the strike succeeded, and how Flint became the birthplace of modern union power.

This video explores:

• The strategy workers used to shut down General Motors
• How the UAW was born inside the factory walls
• Why General Motors feared the sit-down tactic
• The role of women’s brigades and community support
• How Flint’s labor victory shaped wages, work, and democracy for generations

The sit-down strike wasn't about nostalgia — it was about power, dignity, and the fight for the American middle class. Its lessons are still relevant today as workers confront automation, corporate consolidation, and the changing nature of labor.

If you want to understand Flint, Detroit, the Rust Belt, or the history of American work, it starts here.

About This Channel

This video is part of Radio Free Flint Podcast, a narrative documentary project exploring how Flint became a mirror for the American working class.
 For more episodes and deep-dive storytelling, subscribe to The Mitten Channel.

“When men and women are united in common purpose, there is no power in the world that can stop the forward march of free people.” — Walter Reuther

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