Question

Essay on "The Windsor Ford strike of 1945"

Answer 1

Local 200 The two main demands of the UAW (United Auto workers) "The Windsor Ford strike of 1945" The 1945 Windsor Ford strike was historic. The gg-day Ford strike of 1945 took place in Windsor, Ontario, Canada from September 12, 1945 to December 19, 1945. were, "Union shop and check off, which became rallying cry for the strikers. Local 200 demanded that the company agree to a Union shop as automatic dues check-off. Ford had agreed to these terms with its workers at Ford's River Rouge plant in Detroit in 1941. Union security was needed to allow the union to effectively represent its members, During the war, the UAW had to collect dues directly from its members on monthly basis. With thousands of members, this became a full-time activity and made it difficult for the Union to function. well as a Negotiations stalled and on September 12, 1945 11.000 Ford workers went on strike and stayed out for 99 days. At As the strike started, world war I was Just Coming to an end. Thousands of soldiers were returning to Canada and re-entering the work force.

During the strike, the strikers closed the company's powerhou- se down, shutting off the heating system for the plant. As Winter approached pressure built to reopen the powerhouse The local police Commission proposed using the police, over- rating the Mayor of Windsor, Art Reaume, who supported the strike. At the same time, the province sent in hundreds of Opp and Remp officers. Roy England, president of UAW Local 200, expressed his outrage at the growing threat of police aggression. The strike receined strong support from the windsor Community. Soldiers back from the front lines marched in solidarity sallies. Church groups and local businesses pitched help the strikers and their families. The women's Auxiliary fed 11,000 picketers. Financial support came from country. On November 29, the Federal Government tabled a proposal to end the strine. On December 16, after gg days of strike, the membership voted to accept the terme allow the issue of Union security to go to third party arbitration on the condition that the arbitrator be who was sympathetic to the Union. in to Unions across the con someone a success The strike was not just in winning the struggle for Union fent security, but also

in establishing the legitimacy of unions in Canada. This gare the Canadian Pabour movement the confidence to fight for post-war gains.