(02/10/12) - Although their ranks are dwindling, the United Auto Workers honors their legacy every year. This year, the celebration for Flint's Sitdown Strikers was extra special, marking the 75th anniversary of their historic victory.
For the sitdowners and generations of union members who followed, White Shirt Day reminds them of how far the American worker has come.
History came alive inside Local 651 Friday, served up in the form of bean soup and apples, the food that nourished Flint's sitdown strikers in 1936 and 1937 as they who fought for a fair wage and other workers rights.
It's now been 75 years since the end of the sit down strike. Every year on White Shirt Day, the UAW honor people like James Todd, one of the few sit-downers still around. "It means a great deal to me because we had a hard time, you know in the plant. Unbelievable really, but we came through it."
Geraldine Blankinship was part of the women's brigade. As a high school junior, she helped her mother keep the household together during the strike. "This gathering is far beyond our imagination, in fact we had no imagination at that time at all that anything would be happening."
For union members, the movement was all about dignity and respect in the workplace. Region IC director Norwood Jewell said he wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for their courage and determination. "They started the representation of the average person so the average person had someone to advocate for them, that's what they really sat down for."
UAW International President Bob King was the guest speaker.
Friday, May 25 2012 1:30 PM EDT2012-05-25 17:30:10 GMT
(05/25/12) - The unofficial start to summer for some has already begun. AAA estimates more than a 1 million people will be on the road for the three-day weekend. ABC12's Kristen Abraham checked
The unofficial start to summer for some has already begun.
Friday, May 25 2012 12:32 PM EDT2012-05-25 16:32:31 GMT
(05/25/12) - Two men were rescued on Saginaw Bay Friday morning after their boat capsized. It happened about two miles off shore from Linwood. The coast guard received a call around 7:20 that the
Two men were rescued on Saginaw Bay Friday morning after their boat capsized.
Friday, May 25 2012 11:15 AM EDT2012-05-25 15:15:45 GMT
(5/24/2012) - The Montrose School District is investigating what the Superintendent calls an "unfortunate incident". A female high school student was removed from the classroom today after allegedly putting
The Montrose School District is investigating what the Superintendent calls an "unfortunate incident".
Friday, May 25 2012 11:15 AM EDT2012-05-25 15:15:10 GMT
(05/24/12) Summer is almost here, school is out and many teens are looking for a job. Forecasters are predicting that more companies will hire this summer. CareerBuilder.com reports that the outlook
Summer is almost here, school is out and many teens are looking for a job.
Friday, May 25 2012 11:10 AM EDT2012-05-25 15:10:11 GMT
(5/24/12) Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of Vassar is on the road to recovery after a devastating explosion in Afghanistan that claimed his limbs. Mills is receiving treatment at the Walter Reed Army Medical
Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of Vassar is on the road to recovery after a devastating explosion in Afghanistan that claimed his limbs.
Friday, May 25 2012 11:09 AM EDT2012-05-25 15:09:14 GMT
(5/24/12) FLINT (WJRT) - Large digital display signs in front of Deja Vu and The Gold Club, on Dort Highway in Flint, aren't going anywhere. But a new executive order signed on May 14th by Emergency Manager,
A new executive order puts a temporary stop to new dynamic display signs, like the ones in front of Deja Vu and The Gold Club.
Thursday, May 24 2012 6:47 PM EDT2012-05-24 22:47:10 GMT
(05/24/12) - A police chase, in Flint, ends with an SUV crashed into a fence feet away from a home with a small child inside of it. The suspect was wanted in a possible parental kidnapping case out of
A police chase, in Flint, ends with an SUV crashed into a fence feet away from a home with a small child inside of it.
