UAW’s Fain shares post-election message with autoworkers: What he said

In a letter addressed to union members, UAW President Shawn Fain called on members to get involved in the political process following Donald Trump’s presidential victory so they can continue fighting for the middle class, regardless of how members vote.

The letter, posted on social media began Wednesday by acknowledging that “the people have spoken” in electing Trump to a second term as U.S. president. Fain said this was not the outcome the UAW advocated for — because the UAW supported Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris — but that union members must remain true to the UAW mission to fight for their jobs and better benefits.

“We must raise the living standards of our members and the entire working class through unity, solidarity and working class power. Regardless of who is in the White House,” Fain’s letter said. It continued: “As we have consistently said, both parties share the blame for the one-sided class war that corporate America has waged against our union and against the American working class for decades.”

Willing to work together for working class jobs

Fain called on members to “get involved” at every level of government, in every state. The union must stand up for issues like bringing back American jobs, renegotiating the “broken USMCA trade deal,” fighting companies that don’t keep their promises to workers, speaking out against handouts to the wealthy and being “unafraid ‘ are to confront any politician who acts to harm the working class or unions, Fain wrote.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which came into effect on July 1, 2020, replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement. The UAW, in a videosaid both deals destroyed the U.S. industrial base and sent good-paying jobs across the border.

Fain said in the letter that the union will work with any politician, regardless of party, if they stand with the working class.

Republican barbs for Fain

Going forward, the union leadership must work with a Republican-controlled Congress and newly-elected President Trump. But Trump and Fain have not been allies. Trump has said Fain should be fired. Last month, Fain said Trump is “a billionaire who has never had a real job in his life,” referring to Trump as “a thug” unfit to be president.

More: Used car prices continue to fall while demand for cars skyrockets

Last week a exclusive interview with the Detroit Free PressBernie Moreno, a former car dealer and the new Republican senator-elect from Ohio, said the party wants to work with the UAW membership. But he said UAW leaders, whom he called “cronies for the Democratic Party,” are making that difficult.

During the interview, Moreno also had nice words for Fainreferring to him as “probably one of the most corrupt UAW leaders” ever. He said Fain doesn’t pay attention to his members because Fain is more interested in being “a celebrity and a political hack.”

Moreno was referring to one research into Fain by a monitor appointed after the union’s 2019 corruption scandal. The independent UAW Monitor this summer launched an investigation into Fain’s actions, as well as those of secretary-treasurer Margaret Mock, in the wake of the union leadership shake-up earlier this year. The monitor is also launching a separate investigation into an unnamed member of the International Executive Board for alleged embezzlement.

Like Trump, Moreno called on UAW members to elect a new leader, but added that if Fain contacted him, Moreno would work with the UAW to grow the U.S. auto industry and union membership .

Fain responds by saying: stop ‘destroying us’

Fain came to power after the UAW’s first direct election of top leaders last year. His national profile rose after negotiations a strong new contract with the Detroit Three last year after a targeted strike of 40 days. Fain also led one successful and historic campaign to organize Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in April.

More: Car dealer elected to US Senate: Trump and I share vision for overhauling the auto industry

The Free Press requested an interview with Fain about Moreno’s statements. Instead, a union spokesperson texted a statement from Fain addressing Moreno’s criticism.

“The Big Three have closed 65 factories in the last 20 years,” Fain said in his statement. “We welcome Senator Moreno to join that fight, and anyone willing to hold the feet of corporate America to the fire and deliver results for the working class. But attacking our union while we are fighting for our lives at Stellantis is not a good thing. help autoworkers in Toledo or anywhere.”

Fain went on to say of Moreno: “If he means it, he should work with us and not destroy us.”

‘Union is yours’

Fain has been critical of Stellantis, the automaker that makes the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat brands, for numerous job cuts this year as the company struggles to control its inventory levels. Last week the car manufacturer announced that this would happen eliminating a shift in the Toledo Assembly ComplexThis means layoffs for 1,100 employees. The company has also confirmed this it is expanding its truck factory in Saltillo, Mexico.

In his letter, Fain said members fighting to save their jobs does not begin or end with the presidential election.

“Political action at every level of government, in every state, in every industry impacts every contract, every organizing drive, and every standard we strive for as a union,” Fain wrote. “This union is yours, and we want you to get involved today.”

Contact Jamie L. LaReau: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more at General engines and sign up for our car newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Letter from Shawn Fain to UAW members: Get involved in the political process