Shawn Fain, who has served the UAW for nearly 20 years at multiple levels, has just been elected as the union’s new president.
According to a report from Automotive News, Fain will be the UAW’s fifth president in five years, and could have trouble establishing stability in his new position. In fact, Fain only won by a narrow margin (less than 500 votes) and garnered support from less than seven percent of the UAW’s members.
Fain has promised a shake-up in the way the UAW negotiates with General Motors, as well as rivals Ford and Stellantis. However, it’s worth noting that he has never participated in the level of negotiation required from his new position, which has the potential to blow up under delicate circumstances over discussion on topics like job investments and benefit increases.
“The rhetoric has been high and the tone that the leadership has set is more militant and antagonistic than it has been in the past,” Wayne State University business professor Marick Masters said. “I think that we’re entering into somewhat uncertain waters with new leadership that will have a challenge in getting the membership behind it and also in developing a coherent strategy. Should Ford, GM and Stellantis be nervous? Absolutely. I don’t think they’re going into these negotiations from the UAW side looking to get a quick, easy settlement. I think they’re going in to make these negotiations as tough as they can to try and achieve a maximum amount of gains, even at the expense of long-term relationships.”
Fain’s election into his new role as UAW president was one piece of a larger election process for the union’s 14-person International Executive Board. Seven candidates who were backed by Fain and identify as members of his reform caucus won their respective races, as well as an eighth independent candidate.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more GM-UAW news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
More insane specs from the monster Vette!
Original 409 engine sourced from a boat swap!
Rough exterior hides a wealth of custom details.
But the model is still dead last in its competitive set.
Plus, a nationwide lease on extended-length full-size SUV.
View Comments
Article fails to mention that due to government oversight being mandated by the courts due to corruption and criminal behavior of top union leadership, the members of UAW finally experienced democracy in opportunity to vote for top positions in UAW leadership. I think this will also increase the rank and file membership because young workers won't be looking upon unions as 'organized crime' intimidation and be more at ease to see the true value. Change did happen after years and years of UAW being run without members opportunity to vote for top leadership positions. Sure, the big three are going to test the new leadership. Still democracy of one vote, one member is keeping union democracy working. Still its sad that majority of eligible union members did not actually vote. If you don't use your right to vote, you should not complain when autocracy takes hold of your union. Trust me, the BIG three manufacturers are not your union's friend.
I hope he doesn't end up like Jimmy Hoffa.
I am pretty sure Shawn Fain will not be in bed with Organized Crime. Hopefully Shawn will live a long life without internal or external criminals.