In the summer of 1956, start up operations began at the new Fisher Body plant in Mansfield Ohio. The community was buzzing about the job opportunities and security that came with a General Motors facility coming to their town. By November of that year, 500 people had started full time emplyment at the plant.

Soon, working conditions and treatment of the employees gave cause for workers to invite the United Auto Workers to Mansfield to represent them. On April 15,1957, the National Labor Relations Board in Washington D.C. demanded an election to be held within 30 days. Leonard Woodcock, the UAW vice-president and director of the UAW's GM department,came to Mansfield to speak of the benefits of union representation .

On May 1 1957 an election was held. Of a total of 1056 workers in the facility 985 voted in the Labor Board certified election. The final results were 977 for union representation, 8 against UAW representation.

Local 549's Charter to the International was officially implemented May 22 1957, Approximatly eight months after start up operations had begun.

• Tom Baker
• Raymond V. Baer
• Carl F. Roberts
• Karl Longoehr
• Elbert Martin
• Arlie Davis
• Chester H. Moore
• Richard T. Ayers
• William E. Stires
• Robert E. Carrico
• William H. Jenkins
• Richard D. Bohland
• Clifford A. Lincoln
• Harold A Heichelbeck
• Albert F. Brumenschenkel

On October 25, 1958, 16 months after local 549's charter was implemented by the International Union, 549 had a local contract voted in. This contract, however, did not pass easily. It took many long grueling sessions of negiations and several walkouts and strikes by membership to get this done. When it was all over local 549 had the best contract of any stamping plant. Two years and four months after startup, Mansfield Fisher body was made up of 2000 strong UAW employees looking forward to a future of decent wages and good, safe working conditions under a UNION contract.