Strikes break out around Detroit, with few wins for workers. 1936 UAW workers surprise General Motors with the Flint sit-down strike, where the major issue is union recognition. In a labor milestone, GM negotiates with the UAW, and the strike is settled after 44 days. Walter Reuther is fired from Ford for union activities at the Rouge plant. The war ends, and trade unions reemerge in Germany.
Allies encourage works councils to help restore peacetime production.
The UAW organizes Ford, after a long struggle. Chrysler becomes the first company to mass-produce tanks. Willys-Overland starts delivering Jeeps to the U.S. Army. IG Metall is a founding member. The UAW strikes at major plants to gain postwar wage increases.