UAW-Ford National Programs Center

History

• The UAW-Ford NPC sits on the original site of Fort Ponchartrain which was built by the French explorer Cadillac in 1701 and marks the founding of present day Detroit.

• In 1921 Detroit city fathers selected this present site as the land for a memorial to those Detroiters who had perished in the Spanish American and First World Wars.

• After World War II interest was renewed in constructing the War Memorial Building. It was to be the pioneer structure in the city’s effort to develop a new Civic Center which subsequently led to the building of a new City Hall, Federal Building, Ford Auditorium, and Cobo Hall.

• The Veterans Memorial Building was completed in 1950 and dedicated on June 11 of that year.

• The 30 feet tall victory eagle on the face of the building was sculpted by world-renowned and Detroit’s own Marshall Fredericks. The eagle holds olive branches representing peace and flies forward into the future while looking back in remembrance of the past.

• Also in 1950, in the first public meeting ever held in the building, Henry Ford II, Walter Reuther and others met to discuss Detroit’s future.

• In May, 1970, Walter and May Reuther laid in state following their tragic death in an airplane accident at Black Lake.

• Started renovation of the building in January 1995.
• Over 800 workers represented by 18 different unions performed 255,502 hours of union work.
• Dedicated as the UAW-Ford National Programs Center on October 1, 1997.

• A central focal piece of this magnificent facility is the life size bronze statue of Walter Reuther and Henry Ford II shaking hands across the Ford bargaining table. It is a most notable gesture in our business of labor/management cooperation.

HOUSES

ESSP, Quality, Health & Safety, Education, Technical Skills, EI, GEN, Convention Services, Special Projects, FSLC and Administrative Programs.

There are 179 total employees which includes UAW International Staff, Ford Human Resources Staff and NPC employees.

FIRST FLOOR – Civic Center Drive

• Presidents Conference Center

• Lobby

• Walter Reuther & Henry Ford II statue, symbolic hand shake depicts Ford/UAW relationship of cooperation, trust and confidence in each other. Richard Miller, the creator, world renown sculptor/artist.
• Mural in lobby depicts Ford/UAW history of Joint Programs present and future. Painted by Glen Zelinski, Ford worker, member of Local 600.
• Also in lobby are the significant awards won by Joint Programs

• Directors Lecture Hall

• Seating – 200

• Pictures showing the past and present co-chairs of the Joint Programs.

• Below

• Lower level that contains an employee cafeteria and small fitness center along with mailroom, loading docks and mechanics.

SECOND FLOOR – Jefferson Avenue

• Lobby, Security, Building Administration and Offices

THIRD FLOOR

• 6 Training rooms

4^th – 10^th FLOORS

• 4^th, Health & Safety, GEN, Sourcing/Adv. Mfg.
• 5^th ESSP and Best In Class Quality
• 6^th EDTP
• 7^th TSP, Convention Services, and Special Projects
• 8^th Directors and Adm. Offices (CIS & FIS)
• 10^th Training Rooms and Boardroom.