Last month, our union completed our first-ever direct elections of top officers. It is an honor of a lifetime to have been chosen by the membership to lead our great union. Right from the start, we’re committed to building a more transparent and communicative international union. In that spirit, this is my Message to the Membership, the first of many. In my closing remarks at this week’s Special Bargaining Convention, I spoke about the importance of unity and of seizing this moment. When will we say enough is enough? When will we demand what we deserve? When will we unite ...
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In his closing remarks to our union’s Special Bargaining Convention, UAW President Shawn Fain addressed delegates about how we move forward, together. President Fain spoke of his personal experience coming into the union while raising a young child. “Thirty years ago, I was a young parent in Kokomo, Indiana, just trying to make ends meet. Times were tough. Work was slow.” “But then, something changed,” Fain recalled. “I became a member of the UAW and found you all… I want the UAW of tomorrow to be the life-changing experience it was for me.” President Fain also spoke about the fights ...
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On the final day of the Special Bargaining Convention, UAW Vice President Chuck Browning gave a passionate speech about our union’s united cause, after a long election process: “I’m gonna address the damn elephant in the room. Because I’m a sucky politician, but I’m pretty good at telling the truth… “The man who’s our UAW International President got sworn in less than 24 hours before this convention started. There are people out here extremely passionate on both sides. It’s no secret which caucus I’m from, who I supported. It’s not a secret. I was very vocal about it. It’s no ...
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The UAW concluded its Special Bargaining Convention today, with members taking up issues of work schedules, the contractual right to honor other unions’ picket lines, and more. UAW Vice President Chuck Browning gave rousing remarks about the unity of the newly-elected International Executive Board. “There is only one agenda on this board,” Browning said. “It is the membership’s agenda.” He then issued a warning to corporate America: “To our enemies, who are not in this room; to the rich and powerful that want to attack labor; to the employers that want to make profits at our expense and through the ...
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At the Special Bargaining Convention, International Vice President Chuck Browning gave a stirring report on the 2021 John Deere strike and contract negotiations that inspired the labor movement. Follow along with the 2023 Special Bargaining Convention: LEARN MORE
The second day of the Special Bargaining Convention was a busy one for those in attendance. Wages, profit-sharing, healthcare, work schedules, health and safety, organizing, higher education, and support for veterans were among the issues discussed and debated by delegates on the Convention floor, as they continued to fine-tune their vision for the union’s bargaining strategy moving forward. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer addressed the delegates, hailing the UAW for its support of the state’s recent repeal of so-called “right to work.” “We have shown the world that here in Michigan we have each others’ backs,” Whitmer said to a cheering ...
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The first-ever directly-elected International Executive Board was introduced as they took their places on the stage for Convention proceedings. Newly-elected President Shawn Fain gave a rousing speech to the hundreds of delegates in attendance, where he outlined a vision for the union moving forward. “We’re here to come together to ready ourselves for the war against our one and only true enemy: multibillion dollar corporations and employers that refuse to give our members their fair share.” Guest speakers for the day included Michigan Senator Gary Peters, Senator Debbie Stabenow (by video), and Unifor President Lana Payne. Payne spoke about a ...
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Today, Newly elected UAW President Shawn Fain delivered a powerful message to the delegates at the 2023 UAW Special Bargaining Convention: “We are united to serve you. Now, we’re here to come together to ready ourselves for the war against our one and only true enemy: multibillion dollar corporations and employers that refuse to give our members their fair share.” Follow along with the 2023 Special Bargaining Convention: LEARN MORE
At noon today, UAW President Shawn Fain was sworn into office, completing our union’s first-ever direct election of top leadership. The new International Executive Board convened immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, and is ready to get to work for the UAW membership.
A little over ten years ago, “Right to Work” was signed into law in Michigan, even as thousands of union members protested at the Capitol. This week, however, is the beginning of a new era for Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed the bills to repeal “Right to Work.” After a decade of “Right to Work” laws in Michigan that suppressed income and eroded job quality, the passage of House Bills 4004 and 4005 and Senate Bills 5 and 34 get Michigan one step closer to restoring workers’ rights. For too long we have seen anti-union legislation being introduced and ...
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