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Striking Cigar Workers, June 18, 1937.
In the early half of the 20th century Detroit was one of the nations leaders in cigar production. The industry employed over 10,000 workers, many of them female and/ or immigrants. The work environment for the workers wase difficult, with poor ventilation, 11 hour shifts, and unfair pay practices with most female employees earning a wage nearly half of their male counterparts. In 1937 nearly 2000 workers organized and staged massive walkouts and sit-downs, pushing for increased wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. Though not all of the strikers were successful, two of the largest companies settled with their workers and recognized their representation by the Cigar Makers International Union.
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