New UAW president says Big 3 have left workers behind, says adjustment to EV shift is key
By Dave Kinchen , David Komer and online producer
By Dave Kinchen , David Komer and online producer
Published March 27, 2023
FOX 2 Detroit
FOX 2 Detroit
Shawn Fain, UAW president.
New UAW president looks ahead to next Big 3 negotiations, shaking off past scandals
Shawn Fain backs the state legislature’s very recent repeal of Right-To-Work, but says the real battle lies ahead with negotiating new contracts with Detroit's Big 3 automakers. He put them on blast for raking in big profits while he says workers have been left behind.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - Brand new UAW President Shawn Fain is looking ahead on his first full day as union boss.
"I believe it’s vastly important, and I greatly appreciate the work of Governor Whitmer and our state legislature to overturn that decision," he said.
Fain backs the legislature’s very recent repeal of Right-To-Work but says the real battle lies ahead with negotiating new contracts with Detroit's Big 3 automakers. He put them on blast for raking in big profits while he says workers have been left behind.
"These corporations have been flush with profits for years and our members have not kept up," he said. "So we have a lot of work ahead of us."
Stellantis closed out last year with more than $24 billion in operating profit…up 5 billion from the year before.
That’s ahead of GM at $14.3 billion and Ford with nearly 10.5 billion, all at varying margins.
Fain says the old days of UAW negotiating are over. He promises a much more aggressive approach.
FOX 2: "Would a strike be a more immediate tool as opposed to a last resort given what you’ve said about corporations and profits?"
"We’re going to do what we have to do," Fain said. "I have no timetable but I guess we’re going to see where corporations are with protecting our workers. Our job is to protect our members. Their job security comes first. There is no excuse for some of the things that are going on right now."
FOX 2: "What are the absolute deal breakers in your eyes as you look at it, with what you call a more aggressive approach to the Detroit 3?"
"I think job security is obviously a top priority, ending tiers, we really have to focus on that," he said. "I don’t know what we’ll call a deal breaker. As we transition to the (electric vehicle) world. We’ve got to secure a lot of that work. Members, if we're going to transition there, we are going to need someplace to go. We have our work cut out for us there."
The Automakers are keeping tabs on the new UAW administration and its convention downtown this week. Especially as Fain works to unite a fractured membership anxious for action and sick of past union scandal.
Stellantis is weighing in. It tells Fox 2 in a statement:
"Stellantis congratulates Shawn Fain on being elected UAW president in a historic election. We look forward to working with President Fain on issues that will further contribute to our mutual success while securing Stellantis' position in this highly competitive market."
New UAW president looks ahead to next Big 3 negotiations, shaking off past scandals
Shawn Fain backs the state legislature’s very recent repeal of Right-To-Work, but says the real battle lies ahead with negotiating new contracts with Detroit's Big 3 automakers. He put them on blast for raking in big profits while he says workers have been left behind.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - Brand new UAW President Shawn Fain is looking ahead on his first full day as union boss.
"I believe it’s vastly important, and I greatly appreciate the work of Governor Whitmer and our state legislature to overturn that decision," he said.
Fain backs the legislature’s very recent repeal of Right-To-Work but says the real battle lies ahead with negotiating new contracts with Detroit's Big 3 automakers. He put them on blast for raking in big profits while he says workers have been left behind.
"These corporations have been flush with profits for years and our members have not kept up," he said. "So we have a lot of work ahead of us."
Stellantis closed out last year with more than $24 billion in operating profit…up 5 billion from the year before.
That’s ahead of GM at $14.3 billion and Ford with nearly 10.5 billion, all at varying margins.
Fain says the old days of UAW negotiating are over. He promises a much more aggressive approach.
FOX 2: "Would a strike be a more immediate tool as opposed to a last resort given what you’ve said about corporations and profits?"
"We’re going to do what we have to do," Fain said. "I have no timetable but I guess we’re going to see where corporations are with protecting our workers. Our job is to protect our members. Their job security comes first. There is no excuse for some of the things that are going on right now."
FOX 2: "What are the absolute deal breakers in your eyes as you look at it, with what you call a more aggressive approach to the Detroit 3?"
"I think job security is obviously a top priority, ending tiers, we really have to focus on that," he said. "I don’t know what we’ll call a deal breaker. As we transition to the (electric vehicle) world. We’ve got to secure a lot of that work. Members, if we're going to transition there, we are going to need someplace to go. We have our work cut out for us there."
The Automakers are keeping tabs on the new UAW administration and its convention downtown this week. Especially as Fain works to unite a fractured membership anxious for action and sick of past union scandal.
Stellantis is weighing in. It tells Fox 2 in a statement:
"Stellantis congratulates Shawn Fain on being elected UAW president in a historic election. We look forward to working with President Fain on issues that will further contribute to our mutual success while securing Stellantis' position in this highly competitive market."
Unity ahead of bargaining battles is key theme on Day 3 of UAW special bargaining convention
Eric D. Lawrence
Detroit Free Press
Chuck Browning had a message for delegates during the final day of the UAW special bargaining convention in Detroit and for anyone else who cared to hear it:
The United Auto Workers isn’t a divided union; the election is over, and the companies better get ready.
“Let the world hear: We’re united when it comes to our enemies and bargaining,” said Browning, a UAW vice president and director of the Ford department. “We’re sticking together, and we’re taking on the boss.”
That’s when chants of “U-A-W” broke out from the crowd, with most in attendance sporting red shirts for Wednesday, Solidarity Day. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, said during her own rousing call to action a bit earlier in the day: “Solidarity is the word for the next few months. … At the bargaining table, there is no room for division.”
More:How UAW's transforming itself ahead of contract talks with automakers
The division referenced stems from the union’s first direct election and campaign that wrapped up last weekend, with a new president, Shawn Fain, and new officers holding seats on the International Executive Board.
Browning ran with Fain’s opponent, former UAW President Ray Curry, but Browning told the crowd that Fain is his president, a clear statement about the leadership moving forward together as one and an urging for the membership to put any differences aside.
Differences were on display at times during the convention at Huntington Place, formerly Cobo Center. Efforts pushed by dissidents to prevent a minority of delegates from ending debate, to prioritize expanding cost-of-living adjustments and to end tiers related to pay for electric vehicle production failed to garner enough support to move forward. At times, the clapping in the convention hall was clearly limited to certain sections.
More:Whitmer touts repeal of right-to-work at UAW bargaining convention
But the convention also saw standing ovations for members in both factions of the union, polite exchanges as members rose to speak and the celebratory singing of “Solidarity Forever” at the conclusion.
Browning reiterated a theme Fain stressed during the campaign when Browning said he’s fed up, “we’re fed up.”
That message was designed to push the two factions in the union past a divisive campaign in preparation for the bargaining fights ahead with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, owners of Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat as well as other industries. Browning introduced the Ford bargaining committee as well as the bargaining teams at Caterpillar, CNH Industrial and John Deere during his time at the podium. The union struck both CNH and John Deere in recent years and Browning, who offered an emotional recounting of those efforts, noted that “strikes are effective.”
More:Fain calls it 'new day in the UAW' on first day of convention
Fain delivered a closing speech that sought to drive home a message of common purpose and reinforced the idea that the UAW plans to adopt a significantly more aggressive and even militant approach going forward.
Fain’s speech aligned the UAW and a membership representing not just the auto sector, but also higher education, gaming and other industries, with the fight for worker rights elsewhere, specifically naming Starbucks.
He said the founders of the UAW didn’t wait for the law.
“They wanted their dignity and they wanted their fair share, and they did what the hell they had to do to get it,” he said. “Employers don’t give a damn about breaking the law if it serves their interests.”
The UAW, he said, is ready to go from defense to offense, shortly before Van Halen’s “Right Now” rang out in the hall for emphasis.
More:UAW to bring militant negotiations like Detroit Three haven't seen in years, experts say
“When will we say enough is enough? Right now. The question is, when will we demand what we deserve?” Fain said, as the crowd chimed back, “Right now.”
Fain continued: “Another question: When will we unite in a common cause?”
“Right now,” echoed through the hall as the crowd responded, standing and clapping.
“That’s right,” Fain said, as the cheering continued.
“I want to be clear. This is what democracy looks like.”
FORD CONTRACT TALKS WITH UAW COULD GET UGLY THIS YEAREric D. Lawrence
Detroit Free Press
Chuck Browning had a message for delegates during the final day of the UAW special bargaining convention in Detroit and for anyone else who cared to hear it:
The United Auto Workers isn’t a divided union; the election is over, and the companies better get ready.
“Let the world hear: We’re united when it comes to our enemies and bargaining,” said Browning, a UAW vice president and director of the Ford department. “We’re sticking together, and we’re taking on the boss.”
That’s when chants of “U-A-W” broke out from the crowd, with most in attendance sporting red shirts for Wednesday, Solidarity Day. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, said during her own rousing call to action a bit earlier in the day: “Solidarity is the word for the next few months. … At the bargaining table, there is no room for division.”
More:How UAW's transforming itself ahead of contract talks with automakers
The division referenced stems from the union’s first direct election and campaign that wrapped up last weekend, with a new president, Shawn Fain, and new officers holding seats on the International Executive Board.
Browning ran with Fain’s opponent, former UAW President Ray Curry, but Browning told the crowd that Fain is his president, a clear statement about the leadership moving forward together as one and an urging for the membership to put any differences aside.
Differences were on display at times during the convention at Huntington Place, formerly Cobo Center. Efforts pushed by dissidents to prevent a minority of delegates from ending debate, to prioritize expanding cost-of-living adjustments and to end tiers related to pay for electric vehicle production failed to garner enough support to move forward. At times, the clapping in the convention hall was clearly limited to certain sections.
More:Whitmer touts repeal of right-to-work at UAW bargaining convention
But the convention also saw standing ovations for members in both factions of the union, polite exchanges as members rose to speak and the celebratory singing of “Solidarity Forever” at the conclusion.
Browning reiterated a theme Fain stressed during the campaign when Browning said he’s fed up, “we’re fed up.”
That message was designed to push the two factions in the union past a divisive campaign in preparation for the bargaining fights ahead with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, owners of Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat as well as other industries. Browning introduced the Ford bargaining committee as well as the bargaining teams at Caterpillar, CNH Industrial and John Deere during his time at the podium. The union struck both CNH and John Deere in recent years and Browning, who offered an emotional recounting of those efforts, noted that “strikes are effective.”
More:Fain calls it 'new day in the UAW' on first day of convention
Fain delivered a closing speech that sought to drive home a message of common purpose and reinforced the idea that the UAW plans to adopt a significantly more aggressive and even militant approach going forward.
Fain’s speech aligned the UAW and a membership representing not just the auto sector, but also higher education, gaming and other industries, with the fight for worker rights elsewhere, specifically naming Starbucks.
He said the founders of the UAW didn’t wait for the law.
“They wanted their dignity and they wanted their fair share, and they did what the hell they had to do to get it,” he said. “Employers don’t give a damn about breaking the law if it serves their interests.”
The UAW, he said, is ready to go from defense to offense, shortly before Van Halen’s “Right Now” rang out in the hall for emphasis.
More:UAW to bring militant negotiations like Detroit Three haven't seen in years, experts say
“When will we say enough is enough? Right now. The question is, when will we demand what we deserve?” Fain said, as the crowd chimed back, “Right now.”
Fain continued: “Another question: When will we unite in a common cause?”
“Right now,” echoed through the hall as the crowd responded, standing and clapping.
“That’s right,” Fain said, as the cheering continued.
“I want to be clear. This is what democracy looks like.”
By Brett Foote
March 29, 2023
Amid ongoing supply chain issues and the dawn of the electrification era, the automotive industry has undergone some major changes in recent years, all of which figure to have a major impact on the United Auto Workers union (UAW), which has more represented Ford employees than any other automaker. Recently, the UAW has come out against the Biden Administration’s plan to extend EV tax credits to other countries, called on the industry to cut ties with Chinese forced labor, and is looking to unionize future battery plants like Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, particularly as the future of some plants remains in doubt amid the EV transition. Now, it looks like upcoming contract talks between Ford and the UAW are poised to get pretty ugly, according to the Detroit Free Press
“It’s a new day in the UAW,” said new president Shawn Fain, who recently unseated former union head Ray Curry in a hotly contested runoff election. “We’re here to come together to ready ourselves for the war against our one and only true enemy – multibillion-dollar corporations and employers who refuse to give our members their fair share.”
Fain’s campaign centered around using more aggressive tactics during negotiations with automakers, including a possible restructuring, as well as a broader focus on both human and worker rights. Among his chief focuses, Fain plans to fight plant closures, improve health care, fortify retirement benefits, and eliminate compensation tiers.
“Our union is moving from rights on paper to rights in action,” Fain said. “Our membership’s fed up. They’re fed up with the status quo.” The new UAW president also stated that the union’s members deserve “their share” and added that the organization would “use every resource we have” to make that happen.
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