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uawarchivist.bsky.social
UAW Archivist
@uawarchivist.bsky.social
3.6K followers 160 following 260 posts
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.
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uawarchivist.bsky.social
"SMASH FASCISM"
Explainer about the anti-worker and anti-democratic tenets of Fascism. From the Pamphlet "Peace through Victory," produced by the @uaw.org Education Department during WWII. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
SMASH FASCISM Fascism is your most deadly enemy ... and it is my most deadly enemy. Fascism is the most deadly enemy of unionism, hence of de- mocracy. What is fascism? Fascism is an idea advanced by gangster politicians who seek to turn the entire world into a slave market for the benefit of a chosen few "leaders." Fascism is based upon the idea that men exist only to serve the state. Fascism believes that human beings are merely animals born to live, labor, and die in the service of a "leader." Fascism is the enemy of religion. Catholics in Italy and Germany have suffered under the lash of the Fascist beasts. Protestants in Germany and Italy and Japan have been put in concentration camps because they refused to believe that Hitler was the new God. Jews have been murdered, exiled, robbed, beaten, and liquidated by illiterate Nazi and Fascist gangsters. In Japan, in Italy, and in Germany Fascism has always found its start in the liquidation of the labor movement. The labor movement is the bulwark of democracy. The labor movement believes that men are more important than profits and machines. The labor movement is founded upon the democratic idea that men are created free and equal. Fascism cannot live where labor is free. Fascism cannot live where men call their souls their own. Fascism is the enemy of man. That is why Fascism must be crushed.
January 9, 2026 at 3:27 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
The most coveted at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social holiday party’s annual white elephant is The Log. Last year’s recipient, our reference archivist and union rep Kristen, outfitted it with a Wayne Academic Union tee and picket signs! In case you had any doubts about how cool this place is.🪵
Log with picket signs about never crossing a picket line and “don’t be a scab.”
January 9, 2026 at 1:58 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
Photos of UAW local union holiday parties, 1940s-50s, from the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. Whether giving kids a chance to talk to Santa or organizing toy drives, @uaw.org holiday events have been huge to their respective communities over the years.

youtube.com/shorts/d9Zqc...
Xmas at UAW Local 600
YouTube video by UAW
youtube.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
If you are using AI slop for your history-themed podcast/blog/social media, you are doing us a disservice. Just looking at these photos, there's so much misinformation, it's disheartening. If you are committed to telling history, stick to authentic and original content, don't cut corners with AI!
December 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
Congrats to the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social’s 2025 vertical curling champions: Shae, Stefanie, and Dan! We play this original sport and annual tradition every year at our holiday party, and is just one reason of many why the Reuther is the coolest archives around.🪂
Vertical curling champions holding their trophy and parachute people toys.
December 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
Caught between Thanksgiving and Christmas🧣
Cover of @uaw.org's Ammunition magazine. December 1948. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
UAW CIO AMMUNITION December, 1948 Volume VI Number Twelve Fifteen Cents Caught Between Thanksgiving and Christmas Professor Rank and File: The Education Committeeman's Handbook Recipe For Cooking a Poll Inside the UAW-CIO— The Research Department See You in Milwaukee At The 20 in 1 Conference
December 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
Motivation for this chilly❄️ Friday...Striking Plymouth autoworkers stay warm in Detroit during the 1937 Chrysler Sit-down Strike. From the @uaw.org archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
"Auto workers at the Plymouth Plant warm their hands above a “salamander” during the 1937 Chrysler Sit-Down Strike, Detroit, Michigan."
December 12, 2025 at 3:31 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
In Paris, @uaw.org President Walter Reuther distributing CARE packages to @force-ouvriere.bsky.social members working at a Renault auto plant. 1949. From the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social, learn more at the Walter Reuther Digital Archive: projects.library.wayne.edu/omeka-s/s/re...
Distribution of CARE packages by Walter Reuther, President of the U.A.W.- C.I.O. at the Headquarters of F.O. Union of automobile workers of the Renault plant in Paris on December 12, 1949."The picture shows Walter Reuther, presenting of the the CARE packages to shop steward Heri Oillo." Distribution of CARE packages by Walter Reuther, President of the U.A.W. - C.I.O. at the Headquarters of F.O. Union of automobile workers of the Renault plant in Paris, on December 12, 1949. -The picture shows Walter Reuther presenting one of the CARE packages to shop steward Mlle. Lucie Engler, surrounded by other shop stewards and Daniel Benedict, Chief of Care Mission/France.
December 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
Kids braving the winter cold and marching on the picket line during the Flint Sit-down Strike in 1937. Walking through a winter flurry this morning reminded me of this gem from the @uaw.org archives here at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
"Children carry pickets in support of the strikers on Women's Day during the Flint Sit-Down Strike, Flint, Michigan."
December 9, 2025 at 4:25 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
Co-op grocery store run by @uaw.org Local 877, out of Bridgeport, CT. From the union's archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Union Co-Op, Bridgeport, Connecticut. Undated.
December 8, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by UAW Archivist
uaw.org
On this day 70 years ago, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations merged to form the
@aflcio.org, the largest federation of unions in the United States.
📸 AFL President George Meany and CIO President Walter Reuther at AFL-CIO Convention in New York, 1955 | Walter P. Reuther Library
December 5, 2025 at 8:28 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
"Our Union is no turkey"
🦃 Thanksgiving themed issue of Local 834 News, newsletter for the Philadelphia @uaw.org local. November 1989. From the UAW Publications at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Newsletter for union local publication. "THANKS, UAW Our Union is no turkey Turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie ... hm-m-m, the smells almost jump off the AS UAW members and our gather around tables this Thanksgiving, there is much to be thankful for union-won wages, health-care benefits, job security programs, and pensions. thankful that Union workers $5-an-hour benefits than the non-union norm. $2-plus advantage Union benefits to only $3.45 for workers without"
November 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
If you fridge is full of turkey after Thanksgiving, feel free to use those leftovers to make @uaw.org President Walter Reuther's personal recipe for turkey mornay with broccoli. From his papers at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Recipe for turkey mornay with broccoli. Ingrediente: 1 package frozen broccoli, or 1 bunch fresh 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup flour 1 cup turkey broth made by simmering the giblets and neck in water, or canned chicken broth 1/2 cup light cream 1/2 cup sauterne Worcestershire sauce 2 cups cooked turkey, sliced or coarsely diced grated Parmesan cheese salt and pepper Cook the broccoli until tender. Drain, and arrange on bottom of greased casserole. Melt butter and stir in flour. Add turkey stock and cream. Cook, stirring, until blended and then add the wine and seasonings. Arrange the turkey on top of the broccoli. Pour in the sauce. Sprinkle the top lavishly with the grated cheese. Bake in a moderately hot oven (400 degrees) for 20 minutes, or until brown and bubbly. Serves 4. Photo of Walter Reuther eating corn.
November 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by UAW Archivist
afscme-archivist.bsky.social
The latest episode of Tales from the Reuther Library features @afacwa.org president @flyingwithsara.bsky.social! Check it out on your favorite podcast app. @reutherlibrary.bsky.social #LaborHistory #podcasts
Talking History with AFA President Sara Nelson
open.spotify.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:44 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
"We fight for a better tomorrow..."
@uaw.org poster from the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
UAW-CIO poster with the caption, "We fight for a better tomorrow..."
November 25, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Reposted by UAW Archivist
mrspowersdayjob.bsky.social
Sometimes I think it’s going to be the librarians who will save us all.
A large (maybe 3 feet wide by 5 feet tall) sign on the end of a row of bookshelves that tells the “address” of books that have sensitive content.
November 25, 2025 at 1:47 AM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
Respect for Jasper. Of all the fact-checkers I’ve dealt with from the press, the New Yorker’s are the most thorough and dogged.
newyorkerunion.bsky.social The New Yorker Union @newyorkerunion.bsky.social · Nov 11
Last week, Condé Nast fired four staffers, including Jasper Lo, a senior fact checker at The New Yorker, in an act of illegal union-busting. Join us tomorrow at 6pm to demand that the company reverse this unjust and unlawful decision.
November 21, 2025 at 11:53 AM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
This 1974 cover of @uaw.org Ammunition made me realize we are at the very end of the best season of the year here in Michigan. Enjoy those remaining fall colors while you got ‘em, folks. From the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.🍂
Cover of Ammunition magazine, with cartoon of tree with leaves and squirrels. Headline is “Autumn.”
November 18, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by UAW Archivist
afscme-archivist.bsky.social
Gloria McCabe, @afscme.bsky.social Council 97 member, had an unusual commute to work w/ the AZ Department of Economic Security. 4X a year, she and colleagues traveled all day by horse into the #GrandCanyon to the most remote Native American reservation in the US. #NativeAmericanHeritage #Arizona
In 1983, a woman, Gloria McCabe, in a warm coat faces the camera as she stands next to two horses wearing bridles. Trees fill the background. From the AFSCME Communications Department records at the Reuther Library, Wayne State University.
November 18, 2025 at 3:07 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
"Space Shuttle: It's Meaning to Labor & the United Auto Workers"
Pamphlet from @uaw.org advocating NASA to develop a reusable space shuttle system and why it should be union-built. From the UAW Aerospace Dept Records at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social. 🚀👩‍🚀
Cover of "Space Shuttle: It's meaning to labor & the United Auto Workers" pamphlet, with early drawing of NASA space shuttle. Made by UAW in conjunction with North American Rockwell Space Division. "Why Space Shuttle Now" graph showing the pros and cons of "if we wait" versus "if we go ahead." From Space Shuttle: It's meaning to labor & the United Auto Workers pamphlet.
November 18, 2025 at 2:43 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
Pamphlets on "right-to-work" repeal, social safety net, and raising the min. wage, from America's leading civil rights leaders. Includes MLK, Bayard Rustin, and more. Made by the A. Philip Randolph Institute, 1960s.
From @uaw.org President Walter Reuther's archive at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Pamphlets on "Repeal 14b," "Urge congress to increase and extend unemployment benefits for all workers," and "Extend the minimum wage!' from the A. Philip Randolph Institute. Contents of a pamphlet on "Repeal 14b," co-signed by James Farmer, MLK, A. Philip Randolph, and Roy Wilkins. Pamphlet on A. Philip Randolph Institute, with photo of Randolph.
November 14, 2025 at 4:29 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
Agricultural implement workers from @uaw.org Local 1301 on strike. Chicago area, circa 1950s. From the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Picket line of workers from UAW-CIO Local 1301, tractor workers, holding picket signs.
November 11, 2025 at 6:43 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
This was my favorite radio program growing up, I even still have cassettes of old shows I taped on my boombox. So proud to be a supporter of @wdet.bsky.social!
November 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by UAW Archivist
afscme-archivist.bsky.social
Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the #EdmundFitzgerald on #LakeSuperior. This documentary from @clickondetroit.com uses the WDIV archives at @reutherlibrary.bsky.social and features our AV department's #Steenbeck (film viewing machine): www.clickondetroit.com/features/202...
Watch: The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, 50 years later (full extended cut documentary)
It’s been 50 years since the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
www.clickondetroit.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
uawarchivist.bsky.social
Pamphlet for the Brookwood Labor Players chautauqua program, a traveling show teaching about labor solidarity. Performances included plays, songs, and "novelty numbers" about labor. In fact, many early @uaw.org leaders were Brookwood alum. From the archives at the @reutherlibrary.bsky.social.
Cover for Brookwood Labor Players promotional pamphlet. Has photo of a play about labor negotiations. Inside of Brookwood Players pamphlet. Has pictures of the group painting their bus, a performance mimicking an assembly line, and a play about a company union.
November 11, 2025 at 2:26 PM