For many years, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union has supported democratic presidential candidates, and as such, it came as zero surprise to see current UAW president Shawn Fain throw his support behind Joe Biden’s re-election campaign back in January (before he was replaced in the race by Kamala Harris), all while taking the opportunity to pan his Republican opponent, Donald Trump at the same time. This came as a bit of a shift after Biden and Fain had a short spat that ended when the current President visited UAW picket lines during the union’s targeted strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis last fall. Now that Trump has won the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, Fain has issued a statement regarding that development, too.
“UAW members around the country clocked in today under the same threat they faced yesterday: unchecked corporate greed destroying our lives, our families, and our communities. It’s the threat of companies like Stellantis, Mack Truck, and John Deere shipping jobs overseas to boost shareholder profits. It’s the threat of corporate America telling the working class to sit down and shut up,” Fain said.
“We’ve said all along that no matter who is in the White House, our fight remains the same. The fight to fix our broken trade laws like the USMCA continues. The fight for good union jobs and U.S. leadership in the emerging battery industry continues. The fight for a secure retirement for everyone in this country continues. The fight for a living wage, affordable health care, and time for our families continues.”
“It’s time for Washington, DC to put up or shut up, no matter the party, no matter the candidate. Will our government stand with the working class, or keep doing the bidding of the billionaires? That’s the question we face today. And that’s the question we’ll face tomorrow. The answer lies with us. No matter who’s in office.”
During the UAW strike last fall, Fain panned Trump’s decision to visit Detroit, noting that “every fiber of our union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers.” A few months later, when endorsing Biden, Fain also stated that “Donald Trump is a SCAB,” using a term that’s historically been used to insult those that are anti-union. “Donald Trump is a billionaire, and that’s who he represents. If Donald Trump ever worked in an auto plant, he wouldn’t be a UAW member. He’d be a company man, trying to squeeze the American autoworker. Donald Trump stands against everything the UAW stands for.”
Comments
Majority of UAW workers voted for Trump, this is what they wanted. Remains to be seen how it all plays out with tariffs and such. The inclusion of Musk ads a wrinkle, being that hes anti union. Be interested to see what happens.
Ironic comments considering Trump is 100% pro-american workers, pro American jobs, and will tariff the hell out of foreign made good forcing companies to build here. Fain is an absolute clown. I wonder how many union workers know that his salary is more than double their pay. Harris/Walz would have destroyed these union jobs.
Jack, you are spot on.
Fain is an idiot to believe that folks like Kamala Harris and Tlaib are the union’s friends. They want to regulate the industry into extinction.
Fain and Farley both need to go. Fain is trying hard to save his ass now because the union I am sure is not happy with him endorsing the guy that is solely responsible for destroying their jobs.
Ironic he mentions Deere. The one company Trump voiced severe penalties for while Biden didn’t say Jack about their leaving the US.
To Shawn Fain: Lighten up on demands that cost auto companies more money to meet so they can keep their products stateside allowing lower pricing so the people who work for them may start buying what they produce again.
I find it a travesty to see so many imported vehicles on the road in comparison to US produced vehicles. Why is that Shawn Fain?
Fain needs to be thrown out of his butt. He and his executive branch brought and paided for by the Democrat party. Over 60% of his union body supported Trump, and he ignored them and sucked up to the Dem’s. Part of why Michigan went to Trump !
Would love to see his off shore accounts totals !!
At least the Teamsters leader listened to his union body and did not endorse anyone!
Fain knew that if Kamala got in, UAW jobs would be gone, but did not care ! He got his money , screw the workers he is suppose to support .
YA…… And Just How Much is YOUR SALARY Captain FAIN???? Both YOU and FARLEY need to be “FIRED” And “WITHOUT” That Stupid GOLDEN PARACHUTE!!!!! Let’s see what you BOTH DO “WITHOUT” A Multi MILLION DOLLAR “GIFT” Paid for by the TAX PAYER’S???? “YOUR FIRED”!!!!! Now, Get Outta Here!!! Go PUMP GAS SOMEWHERE or FLIP BURGERS and see what WORK IS ALL ABOUT!!!! Do some WORK, (you know, That Four Letter WORD)!!!
I like to read what the union workers have to say. The Union bosses, not so much.
The UAW membership won the battle of a new contract, now they are slowly losing the war of job security. Stelantis is the first major auto company to cut jobs and move production out of the US or to import more product. Ford and GM to follow over the next couple of years. Nissan already in dire straights, Volkswagen is next. Better to offer some concessions now to enhance job security rather than wait for next round of cuts and layoffs.