UAW Archivist
@uawarchivist.bsky.social
The UAW Archivist at the Walter P. Reuther Library (@reutherlibrary), the UAW's official repository. Open to the public, learn more at http://reuther.wayne.edu. Proud Wayne Academic Union member.
It wasn't just industrial workers. I came across these photos this summer at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. These are Penny's counter workers holding a sit-down strike in their pre-JC Penny's, occupying the department store in 1937. Complete with roller skating, jump rope, and a very good dog.
February 11, 2026 at 7:43 PM
It wasn't just industrial workers. I came across these photos this summer at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. These are Penny's counter workers holding a sit-down strike in their pre-JC Penny's, occupying the department store in 1937. Complete with roller skating, jump rope, and a very good dog.
The Flint Sit-down Strike might have been the most consequential labor dispute of its time, but it wasn't the only sit-down, not even the first one. This page from Photo-History magazine offers glimpses of the variety of sit-downs that took place around 1937. From the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
February 11, 2026 at 7:43 PM
The Flint Sit-down Strike might have been the most consequential labor dispute of its time, but it wasn't the only sit-down, not even the first one. This page from Photo-History magazine offers glimpses of the variety of sit-downs that took place around 1937. From the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
A very good dog visiting its person while he participates in the Flint Sit-down Strike, circa 1937. Gets me every time, but especially today on White Shirt Day. Printed in a commemorative issue of @uaw.org Solidarity, 1962. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. 🐕
February 11, 2026 at 7:26 PM
A very good dog visiting its person while he participates in the Flint Sit-down Strike, circa 1937. Gets me every time, but especially today on White Shirt Day. Printed in a commemorative issue of @uaw.org Solidarity, 1962. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. 🐕
Today's the anniversary of the end of the Flint Sit-down strike, when workers occupied GM factories in Flint and forced the automaker to recognize the @uaw.org. Visit the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social to see the historical archives that document arguably the most important strike in American history!
February 11, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Today's the anniversary of the end of the Flint Sit-down strike, when workers occupied GM factories in Flint and forced the automaker to recognize the @uaw.org. Visit the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social to see the historical archives that document arguably the most important strike in American history!
Remembering the Flint Sit-down Strike, from a booklet about the @uaw.org’s 1955 program for GM workers. Less than 20 years in the rear view mirror, it was clear the sit-down strike was a transformative moment for American workers. From the UAW archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
February 9, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Remembering the Flint Sit-down Strike, from a booklet about the @uaw.org’s 1955 program for GM workers. Less than 20 years in the rear view mirror, it was clear the sit-down strike was a transformative moment for American workers. From the UAW archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Reposted by UAW Archivist
Very proud to announce the opening of the @uaw.org Local 1975 records here at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. This collection comes from the union local representing clerical workers at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.
Learn more: archives.wayne.edu/repositories...
Learn more: archives.wayne.edu/repositories...
February 6, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Very proud to announce the opening of the @uaw.org Local 1975 records here at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. This collection comes from the union local representing clerical workers at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.
Learn more: archives.wayne.edu/repositories...
Learn more: archives.wayne.edu/repositories...
Reposted by UAW Archivist
Roscoe Van Zandt, a janitor at Chevrolet Plant Four, was the only Black worker officially acknowledged to have sat down inside the plants during the Flint GM sit-down strike.
February 9, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Roscoe Van Zandt, a janitor at Chevrolet Plant Four, was the only Black worker officially acknowledged to have sat down inside the plants during the Flint GM sit-down strike.
So this is what they meant when they said “For the union makes us strong.”
February 9, 2026 at 1:20 PM
So this is what they meant when they said “For the union makes us strong.”
For those of you wondering how to pronounce "Ypsilanti"," please consult this jam by former @uaw.org member Lee Osler.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_vy...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_vy...
February 6, 2026 at 8:56 PM
For those of you wondering how to pronounce "Ypsilanti"," please consult this jam by former @uaw.org member Lee Osler.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_vy...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_vy...
Very proud to announce the opening of the @uaw.org Local 1975 records here at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. This collection comes from the union local representing clerical workers at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.
Learn more: archives.wayne.edu/repositories...
Learn more: archives.wayne.edu/repositories...
February 6, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Very proud to announce the opening of the @uaw.org Local 1975 records here at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. This collection comes from the union local representing clerical workers at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.
Learn more: archives.wayne.edu/repositories...
Learn more: archives.wayne.edu/repositories...
Just heard a song by the band The Radio Dept. while listening to the @wdet.bsky.social show, Big Sonic Heaven. All while I organize the early historical records of WDET housed within the @uaw.org's Radio Dept. Records.🤯 Just another day here at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
February 6, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Just heard a song by the band The Radio Dept. while listening to the @wdet.bsky.social show, Big Sonic Heaven. All while I organize the early historical records of WDET housed within the @uaw.org's Radio Dept. Records.🤯 Just another day here at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
If you are ever visiting the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social, make sure you take time to check out the Wright Museum, just a few minutes from us. Also, does their entire staff have @sagaftra.org membership? Because that's great acting.
The Wright Museums Instagram page is HILARIOUS. Think The Office but it's the staff at a Museum for Black History. Better believe this is on my list of places to visit.
Gentle Spades
"I'm a veteran"
Gentle Spades
"I'm a veteran"
February 6, 2026 at 3:22 PM
If you are ever visiting the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social, make sure you take time to check out the Wright Museum, just a few minutes from us. Also, does their entire staff have @sagaftra.org membership? Because that's great acting.
OTD, 1949. The Feb. 5th program schedule and log book of what actually aired on @wdet.bsky.social, then a @uaw.org run radio station. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
February 5, 2026 at 6:32 PM
OTD, 1949. The Feb. 5th program schedule and log book of what actually aired on @wdet.bsky.social, then a @uaw.org run radio station. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Heads up Wayne State community! Support your community and join us for a whistle kit assembly party tomorrow, Feb. 5th from 4-6:00, at the student center.
February 4, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Heads up Wayne State community! Support your community and join us for a whistle kit assembly party tomorrow, Feb. 5th from 4-6:00, at the student center.
Moving onto a the next archival collection to process, an addition to the @uaw.org Radio Dept. Records, and the first box is chock-full of early @wdet.bsky.social photos and graphics. Really cool glimpse into the Detroit station’s first years.
February 4, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Moving onto a the next archival collection to process, an addition to the @uaw.org Radio Dept. Records, and the first box is chock-full of early @wdet.bsky.social photos and graphics. Really cool glimpse into the Detroit station’s first years.
Olga MADAR, shoot. Thank you for the correction.
February 4, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Olga MADAR, shoot. Thank you for the correction.
Let us “CLUW” you in…
Pamphlet for the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the group for trade union women affiliated with the @aflcio.org. In fact, the first president of CLUW was Olga Marar, then VP of the @uaw.org. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Pamphlet for the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the group for trade union women affiliated with the @aflcio.org. In fact, the first president of CLUW was Olga Marar, then VP of the @uaw.org. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
February 3, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Let us “CLUW” you in…
Pamphlet for the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the group for trade union women affiliated with the @aflcio.org. In fact, the first president of CLUW was Olga Marar, then VP of the @uaw.org. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Pamphlet for the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the group for trade union women affiliated with the @aflcio.org. In fact, the first president of CLUW was Olga Marar, then VP of the @uaw.org. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Really cool local event coming up! Besides his new book about De La Soul, Austin has written about labor and Detroit history, and has done original research here at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
I’ll be in Ann Arbor (Friday) and Detroit (Saturday) this weekend to talk about my book! Hope to see yall there!
February 3, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Really cool local event coming up! Besides his new book about De La Soul, Austin has written about labor and Detroit history, and has done original research here at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
🏒🍦If you're happy to see that the Detroit #RedWings soaring high again, check out this 1990 feature from @uaw.org Solidarity magazine about Bob Riedel, longtime ice cream vendor at Joe Louis Arena and member of @unitehere.org Local 24. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. #LGRW
January 29, 2026 at 9:20 PM
🏒🍦If you're happy to see that the Detroit #RedWings soaring high again, check out this 1990 feature from @uaw.org Solidarity magazine about Bob Riedel, longtime ice cream vendor at Joe Louis Arena and member of @unitehere.org Local 24. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. #LGRW
Excited for the #Milanocortina2026 Winter Olympics?⛷️
Did you know that leading up to the 1984 #Olympics, a @uaw.org Local 887 member had the honor of serving as a torchbearer. The individual wore his union pride across his headband while carrying the torch. 📸 the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
.
Did you know that leading up to the 1984 #Olympics, a @uaw.org Local 887 member had the honor of serving as a torchbearer. The individual wore his union pride across his headband while carrying the torch. 📸 the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
.
January 28, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Excited for the #Milanocortina2026 Winter Olympics?⛷️
Did you know that leading up to the 1984 #Olympics, a @uaw.org Local 887 member had the honor of serving as a torchbearer. The individual wore his union pride across his headband while carrying the torch. 📸 the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
.
Did you know that leading up to the 1984 #Olympics, a @uaw.org Local 887 member had the honor of serving as a torchbearer. The individual wore his union pride across his headband while carrying the torch. 📸 the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
.
Reposted by UAW Archivist
"These court victories tell us that … we have a right to say that Charlie Kirk said some disgusting things, and just because we’re faculty members doesn’t mean we don’t have the right to say those things.”
– Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
– Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
Faculty firings over Kirk commentary are unraveling
The fierce First Amendment clash between faculty and their colleges sparked by the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is starting to tip in the educators’ favor.
www.politico.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:16 PM
"These court victories tell us that … we have a right to say that Charlie Kirk said some disgusting things, and just because we’re faculty members doesn’t mean we don’t have the right to say those things.”
– Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
– Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
They keep these documents in the KITCHEN? As an archivist, this setup makes me nervous.
January 24, 2026 at 1:23 PM
They keep these documents in the KITCHEN? As an archivist, this setup makes me nervous.
"There is no reactionary force which can stand against the untrammeled and crystallized voice of the two-thirds of our population represented by labor."
Excerpt from CIO President John L. Lewis' speech against Fascism. From the @uaw.org's newspaper, May 1937. @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Excerpt from CIO President John L. Lewis' speech against Fascism. From the @uaw.org's newspaper, May 1937. @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
January 23, 2026 at 8:28 PM
"There is no reactionary force which can stand against the untrammeled and crystallized voice of the two-thirds of our population represented by labor."
Excerpt from CIO President John L. Lewis' speech against Fascism. From the @uaw.org's newspaper, May 1937. @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Excerpt from CIO President John L. Lewis' speech against Fascism. From the @uaw.org's newspaper, May 1937. @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
I logged on to ask the same thing
January 23, 2026 at 5:22 PM
I logged on to ask the same thing