A history of key United Auto Workers strikes against GM

A rundown of notable labor events involving the United Auto Workers and General Motors Co. General Motors and the United Auto Workers reached a tentative contract deal Wednesday:

1936-37: The UAW led “sit-down” strikes at GM plants in Flint, Michigan, and other cities as a protest against pay cuts and poor working conditions. In Flint, hundreds of workers occupied plants and halted production; ultimately 140,000 GM workers in Flint, Cleveland and other cities participated in the 44-day strike. The strike ended when GM agreed to pay raises and recognized the UAW as the workers’ exclusive bargaining representative.

1945-46: After the end of a “no-strike” pledge during World War II, the UAW launched a nationwide strike against GM demanding pay raises and overtime. Ultimately, the strike involved 320,000 workers and lasted 113 days. Workers won a pay raise and paid vacations.

1970: The UAW — reeling after the death of its longtime leader Walter Reuther in a plane crash — struck GM for 67 days, idling 400,000 workers. The union won cost-of-living adjustments to workers’ wages and a guaranteed pension after 30 years of work.