BUILT IN DETROIT - AUTOLINE THIS WEEK 1814

EV Channels Review

This episode of Autoline This Week delves into the tumultuous early history of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, focusing on the critical formative years at the Briggs Manufacturing Company. Author Bob Morris, son of a UAW executive, shares insights from his book "Built in Detroit," highlighting the intense hostility and violence, including mafia involvement, that characterized labor relations at Briggs. The discussion contrasts this era with modern manufacturing, exploring the evolution of labor-management dynamics, the internal struggles within the union, and the impact of unionization on the American middle class. While acknowledging the union's role in improving working conditions and securing worker rights, the panelists also touch upon the challenges faced by unions today, including declining membership and the rise of non-unionized 'transplant' auto plants. The conversation underscores the complex legacy of the UAW and its ongoing influence on the automotive industry.