Facebook Live and the UAW

I did a conference presentation last fall on the way Shawn Fain and the United Auto Workers used Facebook Live in their successful 2024 strike against the Big Three automakers. It is not simply that social media allowed for more access to messages but more that it was employee driven. Many companies use social media platforms to connect with their employees, enhance internal communication, and foster engagement. These companies often use both public social networks (like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook) and private platforms (such as Slack, Yammer, or something built on a Local Area Network) to create a more connected, engaged, and transparent work environment. But, here, union leadership made use of a platform that promotes immediacy and that members found reinforcing. I'm working it into a journal article right now.