United States 1935

Synopsis

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the U.S. automobile industry experienced labor relations troubles with its workers. In the midst of these struggles, the United Automobile, Aircraft, and Vehicle Workers of America was formed. It eventually evolved into one of the most powerful unions in labor history: the United Automobile Workers of America (UAW).

Officially designated today as the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, the UAW was formed in 1935 as a part of the Committee for Industrial Organization (hereafter called the "Committee") within the American Federation of Labor (AFL). The UAW soon became disenchanted with the lack of interest shown by AFL leadership with respect to organizing workers in the mass-production industries, especially the automobile industry. As part of the dissolution of the Committee from the AFL, the UAW and other...