Blogs

Few archives actively collect and collaborate with active donor organizations like the Walter P. Reuther Library. This special relationship was on full display at the 2016 International Convention of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Detroit. The union made a special point to incorporate historical resources from the Reuther Library, its official archives, into the proceedings this May.  read more »

Please be advised that the Reuther Library will be closed this May 30th for Memorial Day. We'll be open based on our regular schedule the following day, May 31st.

To learn more about service during the war, visit our image galleries related to World War I and World War II.

On May 9, 1916 the American Federation of Labor issued a charter to the American Federation of Teachers. For 100 years the AFT has shaped the conversation on public education, the American labor movement, civil and human rights as well as the true value of democracy in our society. The AFT started with 8 locals that represented fewer than 5,000 teachers across the country and now represents 1.6 million teachers, paraprofessionals, public employees and health care workers.  read more »

Please join us June 1 at noon for a brown bag research discussion in the Reuther Conference Room.

From hand-sketched diagrams of plant layouts drawn up in hasty preparation for strikes, to diagrams of syndicalist visions of One Big Union, mapping has long been an important but overlooked part of labor organizing. Steve McFarland, Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Tampa, will be at the Reuther Library in May and June doing research into maps created by workers organizations.  read more »