United Automobile Workers (UAW) is one of the largest labor unions in North America. It has over 750 local unions in the United States and Canada. The union’s official name is International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America.
The UAW’s membership includes workers employed in the manufacture or assembly of automobiles, automotive parts or accessories, agricultural implements, and heavy trucks. Other UAW members work in health care and at universities.
The union was founded in Detroit in 1935. It was an early, important member of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). The UAW was part of the CIO merger with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1955. The UAW withdrew from the AFL-CIO in 1968 but rejoined it in 1981. National headquarters are in Detroit. For membership, see Labor movement (table) .
