Episode Details
Back to Episodes
16 April 1970: Chrysler workers strike
Published 3 weeks, 2 days ago
Description
On this day, 16 April 1970, a white foreman at a Chrysler plant in Detroit threatened to murder a Black worker.
When the worker complained Chrysler went to sack the worker claiming he had a knife.
Around 1,000 workers, Black and white, walked out on strike in protest, shutting the plant for an entire weekend until management backed down and reinstated him.
Learn more in our podcast episodes 61-62, about Black workers organising in Detroit at that time. Available wherever you get your podcasts, or on our website: https://workingclasshistory.com/2018/08/28/e12-the-league-of-revolutionary-black-workers-in-detroit/
Pictured: Black workers protest in Detroit around this time
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
When the worker complained Chrysler went to sack the worker claiming he had a knife.
Around 1,000 workers, Black and white, walked out on strike in protest, shutting the plant for an entire weekend until management backed down and reinstated him.
Learn more in our podcast episodes 61-62, about Black workers organising in Detroit at that time. Available wherever you get your podcasts, or on our website: https://workingclasshistory.com/2018/08/28/e12-the-league-of-revolutionary-black-workers-in-detroit/
Pictured: Black workers protest in Detroit around this time
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
- See all of our anniversaries each day, alongside sources and maps on the On This Day section of our Stories app: stories.workingclasshistory.com/date/today
- Browse all Stories by Date here on the Date index: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/date
- Check out our Map of historical Stories: https://map.workingclasshistory.com
- Check out books, posters, clothing and more in our online store, here: https://shop.workingclasshistory.com
- If you enjoy this podcast, make sure to check out our flagship longform podcast, Working Class History