historyApr 16, 20261:10failed
16 April 1970: Chrysler workers strike
Get every episode summarized
Each time On This Day in Working Class History publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
About this episode
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
Get every episode summarized
Each time On This Day in Working Class History publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from On This Day in Working Class History
29 September 1909: Missoula free-speech fight
On This Day in Working Class History
Sep 29, 20261:28pending
28 September 1991: Shankar Guha Niyogi assassinated
On This Day in Working Class History
Sep 28, 20261:24pending
27 September 1973: UFW wins strike
On This Day in Working Class History
Sep 27, 20261:02pending
26 September 1939: Ricky Tomlinson born
On This Day in Working Class History
Sep 26, 20261:31pending