A category in transformation

changes and continuities across generations of metalworkers in the ABC region

Abstract

The article analyses generational transformations among metalworkers in the ABC region of São Paulo, based on interviews, survey data, and observations conducted in automotive factories. Drawing on the classical literature on the subject, the article identifies four generations—foundational, strike-era, productive restructuring, and “4.0”—which are defined by their distinct historical experiences and workplace socialization trajectories. The analysis focuses on the productive restructuring generation, which constitutes the core of the qualitative research and is characterized by tensions between the legacies of the Fordist model and recent changes in work culture. The findings emphasize the coexistence of both continuities and ruptures, notably the loss of the symbolic centrality of the working-class condition, growing individualization, and challenges in promoting collective engagement. At the same time, industrial employment remains relatively relevant within a broader context of precarization. Finally, the article problematizes the notion of a “4.0 generation,” emphasizing its heterogeneity and highlighting the challenges for trade union action and future research.