On Aug. 26, the United Auto Workers marks its 90th anniversary. It’s a moment to reflect on the union’s role in shaping American society—on the shop floor, at the bargaining table, and in the halls of power. From Detroit’s auto plants to classrooms, hospitals, college campuses, and tech labs, the UAW’s history is inextricably linked with the American Dream.

Founded in 1935 during the Great Depression, the UAW fought for more than wages. It demanded dignity for workers. In an era of 12-hour shifts, inhumane working conditions, and poverty pay, the union imagined an America where a job could support a family, weekends were free, and workplaces were safe. Sit-down strikes and tough negotiations turned dangerous, low-pay jobs into stable careers with benefits.

The union’s fight has always ce

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