DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain spoke at the union’s National Community Action Program Conference advocating for even more reforms for auto union members’ benefits.
The conference, hosted in Washington, D.C., held many members who gathered to discuss policy priorities for the new year and after a historic Stand up Strike.
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Stand up strike shortcomings.
One of the areas that the UAW was unsuccessful in negotiating was granting secure pensions and post-retirement health care to its more than 145,000 autoworkers. Analysts have estimated the union’s demand would cost billions of dollars.
“We’re going to keep pushing for this in the next round of negotiations,” Fain said. “But we’re thinking even bigger, and we’re not going to wait until 2028. Either the Big Three guarantee retirement security for workers who give their lives to these companies or an even bigger player does: the federal government.”
UAW President message to POTUS and presidential candidates:
Ahead of the upcoming presidential election, Fain shared strong words regarding the union’s stance for support.
“We have to take the issues that matter to the working class and poor, and we have to make our political leaders stand up with us,” Fain said during his opening remarks. “Our message in doing this is simple: Support our cause, or you will not get our endorsement.”
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During the Stand Up Strike, Fain commented how President Joe Biden’s appearance on the picket line was the first time a sitting U.S. President joined the union on the line.
“You’ve heard me say it many times,” President Biden said at the UAW picket line. “Wall Street didn’t build the country; the middle class built the country.”
Recent UAW strike updates.
Last week, Fain shared that the union is fighting for the rights of workers who were lost after Stellantis laid off numerous “temp” workers.
“[These companies] are bringing the pain to the lowest paid workers, and blaming the union,” Fain said. “Stellantis can afford to do the right thing here and provide a pathway to fulltime good auto jobs, but again they’re choosing to line executive and shareholder pockets.”
“We’re going to keep fighting for our supplemental employees,” pledged Fain.
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