What Is 1945–1946 United Auto Workers strike

Overview

The 1945–1946 United Auto Workers (UAW) strike was one of the largest labor actions in U.S. history, marking a pivotal moment in post-World War II industrial relations. Initiated in November 1945, the strike targeted General Motors (GM), the nation's largest automaker, as workers sought better wages and protections against inflation.

With over 100,000 employees walking off the job, the strike lasted 113 days and disrupted auto production across multiple states. It reflected broader tensions between labor unions and corporate management during the transition from wartime to peacetime economies.

• November 21, 1945: The UAW launched the strike after failed negotiations with GM, demanding a 30% wage increase to offset rising postwar living costs.
• 113-day duration: The strike lasted until March 27, 1946, making it one of the longest and most significant auto industry work stoppages of the era.
• Over 100,000 workers: Employees from GM plants in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and elsewhere joined the action, halting production of key vehicle models.
• Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) demand: The UAW pushed for automatic wage increases tied to inflation, a novel concept at the time that would later become standard.
• Government intervention: President Harry S. Truman faced pressure to invoke the wartime labor powers under the War Labor Disputes Act, though he ultimately refrained from seizing GM plants.

Demands and Negotiations

The UAW’s demands centered on fair compensation amid rapid postwar inflation and the end of government wage controls. Negotiations revealed deep ideological divides between labor’s push for economic security and corporate resistance to structural wage changes.

• 30% wage increase: The UAW requested a 30% raise, citing a 30% rise in the cost of living since 1940 and increased corporate profits during the war years.
• 18.5-cent compromise: After months of talks, GM agreed to an 18.5-cent hourly increase—far below the 30-cent demand but significant for the time.
• No COLA clause: Despite union pressure, GM refused to include automatic cost-of-living adjustments, fearing loss of managerial control over wages.
• Profit-sharing rejected: The UAW also proposed sharing in GM’s $2 billion in wartime profits, but the company dismissed the idea as unrealistic.
• Union security: The strike reinforced the UAW’s role as a powerful bargaining agent, helping secure union shop provisions in future contracts.
• Public opinion: Media coverage was mixed; some outlets portrayed strikers as reasonable, while others labeled them as disruptive amid postwar shortages.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1945–1946 UAW strike with other major labor actions highlights its scale and impact on postwar labor policy.

The 1945–1946 strike set the stage for future labor negotiations, particularly in its failure to secure COLA—later won in the 1948 and 1949 UAW contracts. Unlike the 1937 sit-down strike that won union recognition, this action focused on economic gains in a new industrial era.

Why It Matters

The 1945–1946 UAW strike reshaped labor relations in the auto industry and influenced broader labor movements across the U.S. Though it didn’t achieve all its goals, it demonstrated the growing power of organized labor in the mid-20th century.

• Precedent for future strikes: The action inspired subsequent UAW campaigns, including successful COLA demands in later contracts with GM and Ford.
• Inflation and wages: It highlighted the need for wages to keep pace with living costs, a principle that became central to labor negotiations in the 1950s.
• Corporate profits vs. worker pay: The dispute spotlighted inequities between rising corporate earnings and stagnant worker wages after the war.
• Government role: The Truman administration’s hesitation to intervene set a precedent for handling postwar labor disputes without federal seizure.
• Union strength: The strike solidified the UAW as a major force in American labor, paving the way for expanded membership and influence.
• Public awareness: It brought national attention to labor issues, contributing to the passage of the Taft-Hartley Act in 1947, which reshaped union rights.

The 1945–1946 UAW strike remains a landmark event in labor history, illustrating the challenges and achievements of workers striving for economic justice in a rapidly changing America.