80 years ago, hundreds of Flint’s auto-workers sat down on the job in protest of working conditions. Their protest effectively stopped production and eventually turned violent. 44 days later, when the smoke cleared, workers and management emerged with a new contract, and the UAW was created.

Although Flint was no stranger to hard work, the American worker now had the power to negotiate the value of their own labor, and changed the workplace in America forever. We are taking this opportunity to look back through the entire history of the working people of Flint, and the impact it has had on this nation. This work ethic is in the blood of these people, and the workers of today are constructing Flint’s future.

This catalogue was created to accompany the exhibition "Work", curated by Design III at the University of Michigan – Flint.