International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Ford Local 600 (Detroit, Mich.)

Local 600 was chartered in 1938, but did not gain much worker support until the Rouge plant-wide strike of April 1, 1941. The first UAW contract with Ford Motor Company was signed on June 20, 1941. In 1949, Local 600 called a strike against Ford over the issue of speed-up on the assembly lines. Beginning in 1947, numerous Local 600 officers were the target of anti-communistinvestigations during the McCarthy era by the Un-American Activities Committee.

Local 600 was organized into separate plant units. During the period 1941-1950, there were as many as nineteen. Each unit sent delegates to a General Council which determined the policies of the Local. Local 600 has been regarded as one of the most controversial locals in the UAW.

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