United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain made headlines at the Democratic National Convention by leading delegates in a chant denouncing Donald Trump. Fain addressed a group of about 20 reporters the following day, articulating his views on issues related to labor, the impact of political leadership on organizing efforts, and the UAW’s relationship with Stellantis.
Fain expressed his satisfaction with the enthusiasm that Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have brought to the Democratic Party. While he praised President Biden as a strong advocate for unions, he highlighted a notable difference in turnout at events, indicating that a rally for Harris attracted 15,000 attendees compared to 2,000 for Biden. Looking ahead, Fain announced that the UAW plans to conduct an extensive member-to-member campaign supporting Harris this fall.
Emphasizing the importance of political context in labor organizing, Fain contrasted the environment under Trump’s administration and Biden’s. He explained that under Trump, organizing campaigns were significantly hampered by regulations that favored management, often extending the time between workers filing for union elections and the actual elections, allowing management to mount anti-union campaigns. In contrast, he noted that Biden’s NLRB has streamlined this process, enabling elections to occur more swiftly.
Fain also criticized Stellantis for its failure to honor commitments made in a contract signed last fall, which included a pledge to reopen a plant in Belvidere, Illinois. Stellantis has now delayed this reopening to 2028, which Fain argues undermines the validity of the contract. He warned that if Stellantis does not reaffirm its commitments soon, the UAW could strike, reopening previously set aside demands.
Since Fain took the helm of the UAW, there has been a significant shift in the union’s bargaining power, which had previously been constrained by competition from non-union plants. Fain pointed out that instead of lowering their demands, the UAW successfully negotiated substantial wage increases last year, and non-union competitors raised their wages in response.
Fain attributed the UAW’s revitalization to its members and the broader societal discontent regarding economic inequality, underscoring the record levels of public support for unions. This momentum raises questions about why other unions are not similarly investing in organizing efforts.
Additionally, the UAW has capitalized on the political climate by selling “Trump Is a Scab—Vote Harris” T-shirts, indicating a strategic approach to engage union members and the public in the upcoming election.