“The Truth About the ‘37 Oshawa GM Strike” Author Discussion with Tony Leah

FREE discussion and Q&A with author Tony Leah on his 2024 book  “The Truth About the ‘37 Oshawa GM Strike”, with a focus on lessons from tactics and working class coalition-building, and how these approaches can be used to build worker power today — organized by People’s Voice newspaper. 

310 Danforth Ave — East End United Church (Hurndale Room, Entrance off Jackman Ave)

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Autoworkers unionized the General Motors plant in Oshawa in 1937 after a bitterly fought strike that pitted them against a rabidly anti-union government, hostile press and GM corporation. It was a major turning point in Canadian labour history. Crucial factors contributing to the strike’s success include the historical background of working-class struggle in the community, patient and courageous prior organizing by Communists, the engaged leadership of rank-and-file GM workers, and the solid support of the United Autoworkers International Union.

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Tony Leah is a long-time union activist with experience in bargaining, shop-floor representation, labour education, and political mobilization. A maintenance and construction welder with GM, Oshawa for nearly 40 years, he has held many positions within the Auto Workers Union at both Oshawa Local 222 and on the Canadian national level. Editor and author of many articles on labour history and activities, Tony Leah holds an MA in Labor Studies from McMaster University. He lives in Toronto.