Labor Day Kindles Memories of UAW Pioneer Walter Reuther

As we observe Labor Day 2002, it's fitting that we remember a UAW trailblazer and an icon of the labor movement in the 20th century.

His name is Walter P. Reuther.

Labor Day eve marks the 95th anniversary of Reuther's birth, on Sept. l, 1907. After moving to Detroit in 1926 from his native West Virginia, the son of German immigrants began a lifetime of labor activism.

Reuther first etched his place in history during an organizing drive at Ford Motor Co., when he and other union activists were attacked and severely beaten by company-hired thugs at the famous "Battle of the Overpass" on May 26, 1937.

Learn more about a legend

The charismatic Reuther was elected United Automobile Workers president in 1946, a post he would hold until 1970. He was at the helm of the UAW during its emergence as a powerful industrial union.

Reuther further established himself as a major figure of the last century for crafting a plan during World War II to tap unused automobile factory capacity to build 500 aircraft a day.

Driven by a passion for equality and social justice, Reuther also became a leader in the Democratic Party, a confidante of U.S. presidents, an important ally of the civil rights movement and a champion of landmark federal legislation that advanced the cause of racial and ethnic minorities.

Until his death in a plane crash on May 9, 1970, Reuther parlayed his immense intelligence and idealism to leave a lasting impact on his union, on American society and on organized labor throughout the world.

Lest we forget, Walter Reuther embodied the true spirit of Labor Day and the values of working people everywhere.

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