Tag Archive for: Shawn Fain

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UAW Endorses Independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska U.S. Senate Race

The UAW has voted to endorse Dan Osborn, an Independent candidate for U.S. Senate from Nebraska.

“Dan Osborn is one of us. A union member who came up through the ranks to fight for economic and social justice for the working class,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “We don’t need another lawyer or corporate hack who only cares about the richest Americans in the U.S. Senate, we need independent blue-collar fighters like Dan. Wealth inequality is out of control in our country. The rich continue to take all the profits while the affordability crisis leaves working class people scraping to get by paycheck to paycheck. If we’re going to change this system, we need to elect working-class people to the halls of Congress who understand this. We’re proud to stand with Dan Osborn and ready to elect him to take on corporate greed and our rigged political system.”

“UAW Region 4 is on the front lines of the class war on blue collar America, and Dan Osborn is right there with us,” said UAW Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell, whose region covers the state of Nebraska. “Dan is an independent, who is loyal only to the working class. From his leadership in the Kellogg strike to taking on Tyson as they try to devastate the Midwest with another massive plant closure to pad Wall Street’s bottom line, Dan has proven he’s got the guts and the experience to take corporate America head on, and working Nebraskans are ready to elect him to the U.S. Senate.”

“The United Auto Workers helped build this country and ushered in our nation’s greatest eras of prosperity for working people,” said Dan Osborn. “With their leadership and working class representation in the Senate, we can return to that prosperity and level the playing field for workers once again. I am honored and humbled by their endorsement, and I will always be a fighter for them and all working people in the U.S. Senate.”

The UAW will convene for its biannual Community Action Program Conference in Washington DC, February 8-11, where Osborn will address hundreds of UAW members. For more information, visit UAW.org/cap2026.

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UAW Biannual Political Conference to Bring Hundreds of UAW Members to Capitol Hill, Feature Michigan Senate Candidate Forum

The UAW will hold its biannual Community Action Program (CAP) Conference in Washington, D.C., from February 8–11, bringing together nearly 1,000 union members from across the country to strategize and build power for the working class.

The conference agenda will focus on the UAW’s political vision and four core priorities: wages, health care, retirement, and time off. Participants will also address the growing threats to the American Dream posed by corporate greed and divide-and-conquer politics.

On Monday, February 9, UAW President Shawn Fain will deliver a keynote address outlining the union’s political vision for taking on the billionaire class.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, the union will hold its first candidate forum of 2026, featuring leading candidates who are running for Michigan’s U.S. Senate. The forum will be livestreamed on UAW social channels.

WHO:  The UAW’s National Community Action Program (CAP)

WHAT:  “Building Working Class Power: Our Time to Lead” – the Union’s Biannual CAP Conference

WHERE:  Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009

WHEN:  February 8-11; MI Senate Forum during February 11’s morning plenary

The Michigan U.S. Senate candidate forum will take place during the final morning plenary starting at 9:45 am on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The candidate forum will also be Livestreamed on UAW digital channels, including YouTube and Facebook. For more information on the UAW’s CAP Conference, including the agenda, visit UAW.org/CAP2026.

Members of the press are invited to attend the Monday and Wednesday sessions. RSVP is required.

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Statement from UAW President Shawn Fain on the Killing of Alex Pretti

“The UAW stands in solidarity with the family and loved ones of our fallen union brother Alex Pretti and all those standing up for justice in Minneapolis and beyond. Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, and a member of AFGE Local 3669. He was a fellow union member doing what UAW members do all the time – heeding a call for solidarity and exercising his Constitutional rights. For that, he was killed in the street. Our union mourns his loss and our thoughts are with his family, his union, and his community.

As proud trade unionists, we value our Constitutional freedoms. The right to free speech and the right to protest are core to who we are as Americans and as union members. The killing of peaceful protesters like Alex Pretti threatens our rights and our Constitution.

In moments like these, the labor movement must not be silent. Unions in Minnesota took action last Friday, January 23, by participating in a general strike and protested across the state. If the right to protest or speak freely is under attack, then our rights as workers are not safe. Our freedom to strike, or to walk a picket line to win a better life, may be threatened next.”

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UAW Announces Results of Special Election in Region 9

The UAW has announced the results of an election held today in UAW Region 9 to fill the vacancy created when former Regional Director Dan Vicente resigned his post.

Delegates at a special regional convention elected Jimmy Lakeman to serve as the next Regional Director of UAW Region 9, which covers thousands of active and retired UAW members across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

UAW President Shawn Fain said, “We welcome Jimmy Lakeman to the International Executive Board and look forward to his strong leadership and resolve in Region 9 as we continue our mission fighting for economic and social justice, taking on an out-of-control billionaire class.”

Lakeman said, “I am honored to serve the members of UAW Region 9 and to continue fighting for our union. Together, we will focus on representation, enforcing our contracts, and strengthening our community action program.”

While the union has moved to a system of regular direct elections for its International Executive Board, mid-term vacancies at the regional level are filled by a vote of delegates, as outlined in the UAW Constitution.

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UAW Endorses Union Member Claire Valdez for Congress in NY-7

The UAW has officially endorsed Claire Valdez for Congress in New York’s 7th Congressional District after receiving overwhelming support from the UAW Region 9A CAP Council.

“Corporations and billionaires are doing everything they can to crush the working class. The only way we can take on the crises in front of us is if we have more workers representing us in the halls of power,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “That is why I am proud to stand with UAW member Claire Valdez in her run for Congress. Claire will fight like hell for dignity, fairness, and justice for all workers. This is exactly how the labor movement can fight back against corporate greed and inequality: by electing more of our own. UAW is excited to send Claire to Congress to deliver for the working class.”

“As a UAW member and leader, Claire’s been at the bargaining table with Columbia University, one of the biggest employers in the city, one of the richest employers in the world. And it’s workers like that, workers like Claire, who have the vision and the leadership to stand up to big corporations, to big employers and fight for workers. It’s someone like that who we need in Washington,” said UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla.

UAW Region 9A represents 20,000 active and retired members in New York City. The union will mobilize thousands of members across NY-07 to help deliver a victory for New York’s working class.

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Keep Case In Burlington: UAW Members and Leaders to Rally to Save Burlington, Iowa from CNH’s Plan to Close Iconic Factory and Offshore Good Jobs

Burlington, IA – In the latest attack on southeast Iowa’s working class, multibillion-dollar transnational corporation Case New Holland (CNH) is threatening to devastate the blue-collar community of Burlington, Iowa, by closing a nearly century-old plant. CNH has made $6.6 billion in profits in the last three years alone and has spent over $3.1 billion of that on shareholder distributions and CEO pay.

In a new video, “Keep Case in Burlington,” CNH workers, retirees, and local politicians speak out against the economic war being waged on Burlington and towns like it across the country.

On Friday, November 7th, UAW President Shawn Fain, UAW Vice President Laura Dickerson, and UAW Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell, will join local leaders and community members to speak out against the company’s threats, and to rally to save Burlington from yet another devastating plant closure.

 

WHAT: KEEP CASE OPEN: Rally to Protect Our Jobs, Our Town, Our Future

WHEN: Friday, November 7, 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: 400 North Front Street, Burlington, IA 52601

WHO: UAW members and supporters, UAW President Shawn Fain, UAW Vice President Laura Dickerson, UAW Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell, UAW Local 807 President Nick Guernsey, Mayor of Burlington Jon Billups, and others invited.

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Hundreds of UAW Members Speak Out for New Trade Deal as UAW Outlines Priorities for Worker-Centered Trade

As the United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal comes up for review in 2026, hundreds of UAW members are speaking out about the devastation of so-called “free trade” and the urgent need for a worker-centered transformation of our trade deals.

On Monday, November 3rd, the USMCA open comment period closed, and hundreds of UAW members spoke out about the personal impact of the free trade disaster. In addition, the UAW International submitted an extensive comment calling for transformative changes to North American trade policy that put the international working class first, ahead of corporate interests.

In the UAW’s comment, which can be viewed here, the union calls for a North American minimum manufacturing wage to lift up workers across the continent; harsh penalties for offshoring that kills jobs; and a requirement to “build here to sell here,” mandating companies that sell products in a country must commit to good jobs in that country.

“We’re here to stop the global race to the bottom that is set up by design in our disastrous trade deals,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “With 5 million manufacturing jobs lost since NAFTA, with 90,000 plant closures causing devastation for the working class, with wages and standards falling across borders, and with the USMCA failing to stop the bleeding started by NAFTA, we have to tear up this deal and start over. That’s what this fight is all about, and in 2026 we expect our government representatives in the Trump administration and in Congress to get serious about fixing our broken trade system.”

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UAW Endorses Sherrod Brown for US Senate

The UAW has officially endorsed Sherrod Brown for US Senate, and is committed to sending a working class fighter back to DC to represent the nearly 100,000 active and retired UAW members who live and vote in Ohio. Sherrod Brown has a proven track record battling corporate interests and taking on the broken status quo in Washington.

The UAW Ohio CAP (Community Action Program) Council formally voted to endorse Brown, and will mobilize hundreds of thousands of working-class Ohioans to elect Brown to the US Senate.

“Sherrod is more than an ally of the UAW; he is an honorary union brother,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “Ohioans don’t need another representative who leaves us wondering whose side they’ll be on when it matters. We know exactly where Sherrod Brown stands, because he has been in the fight with the UAW and the working-class time and time again. I am proud of our members for committing to elect working-class fighters like Sherrod.”

“Today, the top 1% have more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity combined – that is a crisis. Sherrod Brown is one of the only politicians who understands this crisis and won’t cower to billionaires when faced with a tough fight,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “The UAW is proud to endorse candidates like Sherrod who will stand with the working class against our common enemy: corporate greed.”

“Throughout my career, I’m proud to have stood with UAW members fighting for the dignity of work and ensuring that workers always have a seat at the table,” said Sherrod Brown. “Connie and I drive Jeeps assembled in Toledo by UAW workers, and earlier this year, I was proud to stand in solidarity with UAW members in Evendale as they fought for a fair contract. I’m honored to once again have the UAW’s support as we continue the fight for Ohio workers and push back against corporate greed and special interests.”

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After Members Took Action, UAW Celebrates Tariffs on Heavy Trucks

In a major win for UAW members who build heavy trucks at Mack, Daimler, Navistar, Volvo, and more, the Trump administration has announced a 25 percent tariff on imported heavy trucks, after a massive grassroots lobbying campaign by UAW members and leaders.

“For decades, heavy truck makers have rushed to kill good blue-collar jobs from Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Gastonia, North Carolina, in order to pay poverty wages abroad while Wall Street makes a killing. That ends November 1st,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “Our members lobbied and mobilized to save these communities, and made their voices heard in Washington, DC. We have pushed for action like this for decades, and we congratulate President Trump for delivering for heavy truck workers everywhere. Let’s keep going and rewrite our broken trade rules.”

A new video, Made In The Valley, tells the story of UAW Local 677 in the Lehigh Valley—how the USMCA gutted the communities that built the American heavy truck industry, and how workers fought back to save their jobs and community.

“Mack, Daimler, Navistar, Volvo — we built these companies,” said Dave Durgin, President of the UAW Bus, Engine, and Truck Council. “These executives have tried to run away from us and our families just to pay somebody $3-4 an hour to build six-figure trucks, and pocket the profits. We aren’t asking for the world. We’re saying if you want to sell your trucks in the U.S., you need to make your trucks in the U.S., at a good union wage like we’ve won at the UAW. We’re glad to see action being taken to support domestic manufacturing and good union jobs.”

The victory in the heavy truck industry is the latest blow to the so-called “free trade” system that has devastated blue collar America, from NAFTA to the USMCA. In 2026, the entire USMCA is up for review, and the UAW is pushing for a trade deal that puts the working class first.

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UAW Endorses Graham Platner for U.S. Senate in Maine

The United Auto Workers have endorsed Graham Platner for the United States Senate in Maine.

As a U.S. military veteran, oyster farmer, and proud lifelong Mainer, Graham Platner is a true fighter for the working class. His campaign is grounded in rebuilding the American dream for working people who can no longer afford a good life. His service and his background give him the leadership needed to fight for policies that put the needs of workers first and demand bold solutions to our economic and political crises.

The UAW represents nearly 2,000 workers in Maine, including marine draftsmen at Bath Iron Works, nonprofit employees, workers at the Portland Museum of Art, and graduate employees across the University of Maine System. Together, these members are part of a growing movement of working-class people demanding an economy that works for everyone — not just the wealthy few — and standing behind candidates who fight for dignity, fairness, and justice for all workers.

“Inequality is out of control in our country. Today, the top 1% have more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity combined. Graham understands this, and at a time when too many politicians take their cues from billionaires and corporate lobbyists, he has chosen to stand with the working class,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “He’s focused on the real problems facing workers across this country — not the distractions the billionaire class uses to divide us. His campaign is rooted in the same core issues our union fights for every day: a living wage, affordable health care, retirement security, and time outside of work to actually live our lives. The UAW is proud to endorse candidates like Platner taking on the broken status quo.”

UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla added, “Graham Platner has emerged as a voice for the people of Maine fed up with the corrupting influence of the oligarchy and money in our politics. More importantly, he is building a mass movement that will not only power his campaign but will be ready to take on the challenges facing working families in Maine and across the country once in office. Our members are ready to hit the ground running with Graham’s campaign and take back the power for Maine’s working class.”

“I think he’s the real deal,” said Trent Vellela, president of the UAW’s Maine CAP Council from Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association (BMDA-UAW Local 3999 ). “Graham directly addresses the hard issues in a straightforward and relatable way. He is clear about his principles and his plan to achieve positive outcomes for the working people of Maine. We’re excited to endorse Graham Platner for Senate and look forward to seeing him in DC.”

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