Overview

This biography of Roy Reuther examines his tumultuous life, including the triumphs and tragedies in the labor and civil rights movements. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers activists may face as they confront entrenched societal powers. As the brother of famed labor leader Walter Reuther, Roy was a key figure in the historic Flint sit-down strike that gave birth to the United Auto Workers (UAW). He became the political director of the UAW and was deeply involved in struggles to pass civil rights legislation. This book explores his passion for increasing voter participation and his vow to help downtrodden farmworkers. Many of the injustices that Reuther fought continue to plague America today. This book provides important context for the current efforts of workers to organize, for the Black Lives Matter movement, and for efforts to reform the filibuster rule and stop voter suppression. It shows how dedicated individuals can overcome enormous odds to win great victories for social justice and emphasizes the potential connections between the labor and civil rights movements, offering hope for a more just future.

Full Product Details

Author:   Alan Reuther
Publisher:   Michigan State University Press
Imprint:   Michigan State University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.680kg
ISBN:  

9781611865301

ISBN 10:   1611865301
Pages:   348
Publication Date:   01 April 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Contents Preface Prologue Part I. Formative Years 1. Crucible 2. Disciple Part II. Initial Skirmishes 3. Forging a New Path 4. The Long Arm of GM 5. Fania Part III. The Flint Sit-Down Strike 6. Sit-Down 7. Pitched Battles 8. Chevy 4 9. Emergency Brigade 10. Victory Part IV. Battling Employers and Union Rivals 11. Continuing Battles 12. Fighting on Two Fronts 13. Donnybrook in Milwaukee 14. Defeat and Danger 15. Tool and Die Strike Part V. Marriage, Fatherhood And Victory 16. A New Beginning 17. The Winding Path Forward 18. Battle on the Boardwalk 19. Fatherhood and Triumph Part VI. The Shootings 20. Shotgun Blasts 21. Changed Lives Part VII. Political Action 22. Building Political Power 23. Changing Tides 24. Fighting LBJ 25. A New Home 26. The Campaign Part VIII. Common Cause 27. Bright Vision 28. Dark Cloud 29. Getting Out the Vote (GOTV) 30. Race Traitor 31. Marching for Freedom Part IX. Civil and Voting Rights 32. Transition 33. Showdown 34. Controversy and Landslide 35. Three Martyrs Part X. Denouement 36. Changing Times 37. Fear and Hatred 38. Schisms 39. Battling Texas Rangers 40. Things Fall Apart Epilogue Author’s Note and Acknowledgments Notes Index

Reviews

“Roy Reuther and the UAW is the gripping story of Roy Reuther, one of the famed Reuther brothers, who played a huge and historic role in building America’s labor movement and lifting millions of workers, creating the middle class. This book, written by Roy Reuther’s son, Alan, fills an important gap by detailing the life and achievements of Roy, the least known of the Reuther brothers. Walter Reuther, the UAW’s long-time president, was more famous, while Roy played a big but largely unsung role in some of labor’s proudest episodes: the Flint sit-down strike and getting unions to back throw their weight behind the civil rights movement as well as Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers.”-Steven Greenhouse, author of Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present, and Future of American Labor

Author Information

Alan Reuther is the son of Roy Reuther and the nephew of famed labor leader Walter Reuther. He received a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1977. Following in his father’s and uncles’ footsteps, the author spent his career working for the United Auto Workers (UAW). In 1977 he began as a lawyer in the union’s legal department, litigating in federal district and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1982 he transferred to the UAW’s Washington office to work on legislative matters. He became legislative director in 1991 and supervised the union’s activities lobbying Congress and the executive branch on health care, pensions, worker rights, and other issues.

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