Local 897 History
Introduction...
by
Dr. Alex Blair
This is more than the story of labor relations between UAW Local 897 and the Buffalo Stamping Plant of the Ford Motor Company. It is the story of workers struggling together to build a better future for themselves, their community, their union and their plant. Despite their differences in nationality, language, race, politics, gender and creed, they came together to defend and advance their common interests. Their lives, their union, their plant and our community are better for their struggle.
A few lessons stand out in this history of UAW Local 897. The power, and fragility, of solidarity are key elements of this story. Solidarity means more than the strength of the Local Union, though that is very important. Solidarity also means strength and unity in the community and in politics. When the UAW and Local 897 achieved that solidarity and strength, victories in bargaining and political reform came more frequently. When, as happened in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, conservative policies showed the fragility of solidarity, victories became much harder to win.
A second lesson is the importance of seeing the achievements of the labor movement, the UAW and Local 897 in the historical perspective. Improvements came slowly. Progress often seemed too slow. However, over time the Union achieved great things. Security in health care, security in pensions and wages that guaranteed a decent standard of living developed piece by piece in each contract. Walter Reuther first proposed the guaranteed annual wage in the late 1940’s and it has come closer to reality with each passing contract. Sometimes slow but always sure progress has been the hallmark of collective bargaining in the automobile industry.
As this history makes clear, the Union won these wages and benefits from the company. They were not given by the company. Without the UAW and Local 897, Ford Motor Company would not offer the wages and benefits it currently pays. Stanley Lukaszewicz said “the company gave me a job but the Union gave me security.”
The history begins with a revolutionary product — the automobile — and a revolutionary process — the mass production of the assembly line. Chapter One covers the origins of the Ford Motor Company and its early history in Buffalo.
Chapter Two tells the story of the UAW organizing the Ford Motor Company. Ford recognized the Union four years after GM and Chrysler and only after bitter opposition. That opposition was often violent and cost thousands of workers their jobs. The struggle of these union pioneers set the stage for the victories to come.
Chapter Three relates the decision of Ford to build the stamping plant in Woodlawn. The decision represented a dramatic departure from previous corporate strategy and was an attempt to bypass the power of the UAW.
The organization of UAW Local 897 and the failure of the company to weaken the UAW is the subject of Chapter Four. Ford did almost everything it could to prevent the unionization of Buffalo Stamping Plant. The company even called in the leaders of the anti-union campaign of 1937-1941 to keep the UAW out of the plant.
After victory of Local 897, contracts needed to be negotiated and a local union needed to be organized. Chapter Five tells the story of the story of the first decade of Local 897 and the trails and tribulations of the young union. At each opportunity, Ford challenged Local 897. At the end of the decade, Local 897 emerged as a strong and vital labor organization with a deep commitment to internal democratic practice.
A strong and vital union is one that is active in its community. Chapter Six recalls the important role that Local 897 played in the community and in politics. Local 897 made charitable contributions and lobbied for laws to help all working people. This Chapter shows the essential part played by Local 897 in making our community a better place to live.
Chapter Seven and Eight cover what might be called the glory years of Local 897. The Union won key bargaining gains that ensured the security of its members and future members. Gains in health care, pension, and income security top the list. Local 897 emerged as a leader in the UAW in health and safety and was the first local union in the UAW to win an elected health and safety representative. These chapters tell the story of the path breaking role of Local 897.
Chapter Nine covers the struggle to retain the hard-won benefits of earlier years. Under assault from the international economy, from company sourcing decisions, and from anti-union Presidential Administrations, the UAW and Local 897 faced a difficult era. The Union still managed, despite all the obstacles, to continue to make progress. The gains came a little more slowly the before, but they continued to come. This chapter shows the importance of continuing the struggle no matter what the odds.
Chapter Nine concludes this book, but does not end the history of Local 897. The stories for the next chapters of this history are currently being written by the leaders and members of Local 897. The lessons of the past forty-three years are as relevant today as they were when they were first learned. The Union Makes Us Strong.