FEAR NO PHARAOH: Labor demonstrations have powered pay increases for 3,000 years. Here are 10 of the most impactful strikes - for better or worse.

AP

• The United Auto Workers labor union is striking for the first time in 12 years.
• Throughout world history, strikes have had the power to make substantive change to better working conditions. Roman plebeians used strikes to get better government representation.
• Australian stonemason demonstrations paved the way for the 8-hour workday.
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For the first time in 12 years, unionized auto workers for General Motors are on strike for better wages and higher quality healthcare.

The last time the United Auto Worker went on strike against GM in 2007 was one of the largest in US history. As many as 73,000 members stopped working after failing to negotiate a fair contract after 20 days.

Throughout history, laborers have used strikes to pressure their employers to provide better working conditions. While some strikers got fired or went back to work empty handed after their demonstration, some demonstrations had the power to drive substantive change.

Read more: California's gig economy bill won't just impact Uber drivers. Here's how the landmark decision is a major win for janitors, truck drivers, and other low-wage workers.

Here are a handful of the largest, most powerful strikes in world history:

Áine Cain contributed to this report.