Ford Service Department Men Confront UAW UAW Organizers during the Battle of the Overpass, May 26, 1937

Summary

Ford Motor Company refused to recognize the United Auto Workers (UAW) labor union. On May 26, 1937, men from Ford's Service Department (left) attacked labor organizers (right) Robert Kanter, Walter Reuther, Richard Frankensteen, and J.J. Kennedy on a pedestrian overpass at Ford's Rouge Plant. This "Battle of the Overpass" came to symbolize the struggle to unionize Ford. The UAW ultimately succeeded in 1941.

Ford Motor Company refused to recognize the United Auto Workers (UAW) labor union. On May 26, 1937, men from Ford's Service Department (left) attacked labor organizers (right) Robert Kanter, Walter Reuther, Richard Frankensteen, and J.J. Kennedy on a pedestrian overpass at Ford's Rouge Plant. This "Battle of the Overpass" came to symbolize the struggle to unionize Ford. The UAW ultimately succeeded in 1941.

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

26 May 1937

Creators

Kilpatrick, James E. (Scotty) 

Creator Notes

Originally photographed by James E. (Scotty) Kilpatrick.

Collection Title

General Photographs Series 

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

64.167.833.P.68529.8

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Linen (Material)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 7.75 in

Width: 11.125 in

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