United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain made headlines during the Democratic National Convention by leading attendees in chants against former President Donald Trump, calling him a “scab.” Following this, Fain addressed around 20 reporters to elaborate on his stance, emphasizing the significant impact the presidential administration has on labor organizing. He discussed the commitments Stellantis made in its contract with the UAW and the ongoing challenges posed by the company’s recent actions.
Fain expressed enthusiasm for the turnout at recent Democratic events, noting that a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris attracted 15,000 people, compared to 2,000 for President Biden earlier in the summer. He highlighted the UAW’s plans to conduct a comprehensive member-to-member campaign to support Harris in the upcoming elections and conveyed strong support for Biden’s Secretary of Labor, Julie Su.
He pointed out the disparities in organizing conditions under different presidential administrations, specifically contrasting Joe Biden’s supportive National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rules with those of Trump, which he claimed favored management and delayed union elections. Fain explained that under Biden’s rules, elections can occur within 30 days of a filing, significantly benefiting workers seeking to unionize.
The UAW also expressed discontent with Stellantis, which has reneged on its promise to reopen a closed plant in Belvidere, Illinois. Fain stated that by postponing the plant’s reopening to 2028, Stellantis is effectively nullifying its contractual commitments by the time they would be operational. Fain warned that if Stellantis does not reaffirm its obligations, the union could initiate a strike within a month, potentially reinstating previously dropped demands.
Under Fain’s leadership, the UAW has shifted its approach from one of concessions to advocating for substantial wage increases, even amid competition from non-union Southern plants. Fain noted that the success of the UAW’s recent contract negotiations prompted raises in wages at non-union facilities, demonstrating the renewed strength of union demands.
Fain recently attributed the UAW’s revitalization to the growing public support for unions amid widespread dissatisfaction with economic inequality. He pointed out that the recent successes of various worker organizing movements reflect this shift in public sentiment and called for other unions to adopt similar strategies to embrace this momentum.
The UAW has also capitalized on this political engagement by selling “Trump Is a Scab—Vote Harris” T-shirts on its website, following Fain’s remarks at the convention.