I think you have a highly idealized idea of the past. Most jobs are, and have always been, a way to make money to fund your life. Any “meaningfulness” is a rare beneficial side-effect for most.

And as far as understaffing and overworked? Every company will attempt to extract the most they can from you for the least amount of money. Pretty much always has been. Sometimes you can find some management that realizes you can get more out by showing some amount of care to their underlings as people, but again that is also rare.

Also, outside of the tech hubs like the SF bay area, or FAANG employment (or the equivalent for the time), you aren’t going to be finding “the grunts” are millionaires still working.

I hope unions take off again. People forgot how much of workers rights were fought for, with literal blood shed in support of them.