For most of the 20th century, the United Auto Workers had a firm grip on representing workers at the nation’s auto plants. That dominance gave it enormous social, economic and political influence, even in places that didn’t have car plants.
But just as Detroit car makers have ceded control of U.S. auto sales to foreign automakers, the UAW is quickly losing its overwhelming power when it comes to the automotive workplace.
UAW members produced only 54 percent of the cars and trucks made in the United States last year. That compares with 85 percent of cars and trucks built in the U.S. in 1999.
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