On the 89th anniversary of the UAW’s historic sit-down strike victory at General Motors in Flint, MI, the union concluded its 2026 National CAP Conference by charting the path forward for this generation’s labor movement.
The fourth and final day of the biennial conference included a White Shirt Day event to honor the sit-downers, the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum, and inspirational speeches from U.S. Senators Rev. Raphael Warnock and Bernie Sanders.
The nearly 1,000 UAW members in attendance on Wednesday, clad in white shirts, began the day by watching a video commemorating the sit-down strike. At Local 651 in Flint, Region 1D held an event to honor the GM sit-downers and to remember the sacrifices made by the workers and the community.
“What those workers did in 1936–1937 took tremendous courage,” Region 1D posted on Facebook, recapping the event. “They risked everything—their jobs, their freedom, and their safety—to stand together inside those plants. They weren’t just fighting for themselves; they were fighting for generations they would never meet. Today, nearly nine decades later, we are the beneficiaries of that sacrifice.”
Both Senator Rev. Warnock and Senator Sanders addressed the massive political division seen all across the country in the current moment but also shared a message of hope and of a better possible future based in working-class solidarity.
“We all feel that there is something broken in the covenant with the American people,” Warnock passionately told attendees. “It’s as if the whole country has a low-grade fever. And we all feel it regardless of our politics. We may not agree on how to fix it, but we all feel it. And the question is how we can find our way to wholeness again… I submit to you, that you ought to keep on organizing, and keep on fighting, and keep on standing up. Do not give in to those who say, ‘put your trust in me.’ Put our trust in each other, and together, we win!”
Sanders asked UAW members to imagine living in an America that lived up to its promise and ideals. “Brothers and sisters, in this momentous, unprecedented moment in American history, let us stand together!” Sanders told the crowd. “Let us show the world what a great country like ours can be and let us fight for the country that you and I know we can become!”
Region 1A Director Mark DePaoli and Region 1 Director LaShawn English, speaking before the Michigan Senate Forum, shared a positive vision for the UAW and the country moving forward, but one that must be fought for.
“These are difficult times, there’s no doubt about that,” Region 1A Director Mark DePaoli told delegates. “And I understand the fear and uncertainty that so many Americans feel in this moment. But I also see this as a great opportunity. An opportunity for us to lead the way forward for the working class. It’s on us to make it happen. So, let’s get to work.”
“In the union, we learn that unless we have each other’s backs, the boss will pick us apart,” Region 1 Director LaShawn English said. “Unless we fight for fair pay and benefits, we will be stuck with poverty wages. Unless we fight to be treated like human beings, we will be treated like we’re no different than a machine there to make the corporation money. So, we fight.”
Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed shared the stage for the forum, sharing their personal stories, and contrasting their views on a number of topics. UAW members in the crowd also asked the three candidates questions on the issues currently facing union workers and the working class.
The forum can be watched in full below or here.
UAW members, joined by the International Executive Board and Senator Sanders, ended proceedings by singing the iconic labor tune, “Solidarity Forever.”
UAW 2026 Guide of Our Issues — Our Time to Lead: Building Working Class Power
Recap of Day One of the National CAP Conference
Recap of Day Two of the National CAP Conference
Recap of Day Three of the National CAP Conference
For more information on this year’s event, visit UAW.org/CAP2026.
*Thank you to all UAW members who contributed photos during the conference. Individual credits in the photo caption.
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- UAW Region 1A Director Mark DePaoli speaks before the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- A UAW member asked Michigan Senate candidates a question during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- A UAW member asked Michigan Senate candidates a question during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- The UAW, joined by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, concludes its 2026 National CAP Conference by singing the iconic labor song, “Solidarity Forever.” Photo courtesy of Local 2250 member Shana Shaw.
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- U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders addresses attendees at the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026. Photo courtesy of Brian Hedger.
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- UAW Region 1 Director LaShawn English speaks before the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock addresses attendees during day 4 of the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026. Photo courtesy of Brian Hedger.
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- U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders addresses attendees at the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026. Photo courtesy of Brian Hedger.
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- UAW President Shawn Fain introduces U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow speaks during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla speaks during the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, and Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- A UAW member asked Michigan Senate candidates a question during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- A UAW member asked Michigan Senate candidates a question during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, and Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders addresses attendees at the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026. Photo courtesy of Brian Hedger.
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- UAW Local 933 and Region 2B member Neal Jameson introduces Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock addresses attendees during day 4 of the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026. Photo courtesy of Brian Hedger.
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- A UAW member asked Michigan Senate candidates a question during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, and Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- A UAW member asked Michigan Senate candidates a question during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock addresses attendees during day 4 of the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026. Photo courtesy of Brian Hedger.
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- A UAW member asked Michigan Senate candidates a question during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock addresses attendees during day 4 of the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026. Photo courtesy of Brian Hedger.
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- A UAW member asked Michigan Senate candidates a question during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- A UAW member asks candidates a question during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- The UAW members and elected leaders conclude the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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- U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders addresses attendees at the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026. Photo courtesy of Brian Hedger.
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- Dr. Adbul El-Sayed during the union’s first-ever Michigan Senate Forum on the final day of the 2026 UAW National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 11, 2026.
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