Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, has expressed strong opposition to former President Donald Trump’s re-election bid, warning that his presidency would reverse progress for the labor movement. Fain, representing the union's 370,000 members, emphasized Trump's lack of support for the working class and his allegiance to billionaire interests.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Fain stated, “Trump has never supported working class people. He has never supported unions,” dismissing Trump's current outreach to autoworkers as mere pandering. Fain further criticized Trump for his past inaction, particularly during the closure of General Motors' Lordstown, Ohio, plant in 2019.
The UAW announced its endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election, highlighting her understanding of labor issues and strong leadership. Fain believes Harris at the top of the Democratic ticket enhances the party's chances of winning Michigan, a crucial swing state. "She was there with the president through a lot of things we’ve been through," Fain said, recalling her support during the 2019 GM workers' strike.
British Defense Minister John Haley and Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited the region to discuss the evolving situation in West Asia. They engaged in talks with Israeli officials in the occupied territories, emphasizing the need for restraint and de-escalation to prevent further regional tensions.
Political analyst Marick Masters from Wayne State University noted the strategic importance of union votes in Michigan. Trump narrowly won the state in 2016 but lost it to President Joe Biden in 2020. Union support is significant, with about 556,000 union members in Michigan, excluding their families and retirees.
Trump's recent comments at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, further fueled tensions. He disparaged Fain and incorrectly claimed Chinese auto companies were building factories in Mexico to export cars to the U.S. without tariffs. Trump also pledged to revitalize the U.S. auto industry, despite it experiencing growth under Biden’s administration. According to the Labor Department, employment in the car and parts manufacturing sector has increased by 13.8% since Biden took office.
Fain dismissed Trump's remarks as typical rhetoric lacking substance. “All the man does is name-call and label people. He never has solutions,” Fain remarked. He emphasized the inevitability of the transition to electric vehicles and the need for union members to adapt.
Fain praised Harris for her advocacy, recalling her presence on the picket lines with GM workers in 2019. He also indicated the union's preference for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker as potential vice-presidential candidates for Harris. However, he criticized Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro for their stances on union-related issues.
Despite the intense political landscape, Fain remains confident in Harris’s commitment to labor rights. “I think she’s a brilliant woman. A very strong person,” he said. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign accused Fain of being a "puppet for the Democrat party," asserting that Trump would act to support American autoworkers.
The endorsement of Harris by the UAW signifies a significant move in the 2024 election, potentially swaying the critical labor vote in key states.
