UAW President Shawn Fain, who gained notoriety during a highly publicized UAW strike in 2023, is now facing a battle of a different kind, with a group of workers he represents seeking to oust him.
The details: A small faction of United Auto Workers at a Stellantis NV truck factory in suburban Detroit and an engine plant in southeast Michigan voted over the weekend to start the union’s process to remove Fain before next year’s leadership elections—citing several grievances with the UAW president, reports Bloomberg.
Claims that Fain’s negotiations with Stellantis led to thousands of factory layoffs—since the 2023 contract was ratified with the automaker.
Dissent over the UAW president retaliating against two fellow board members who disagreed with him, stripping them of their duties.
Accusations that Fain mismanaged union funds and retaliated against UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock for not approving certain expenses.
The petition to remove Fain was started by David Pillsbury, a worker at GM’s Flint, Mich., truck plant—with five of the six locals voting to begin removal proceedings.
What they’re saying: “I supported Shawn, but his spending is out of control and he’s retaliatory. The transparency Shawn promised hasn’t happened,” said Pillsbury.
Why it matters: Although small in number, the slightest contention within UAW leadership and among members could weaken the union's bargaining power, as the Big Three Detroit automakers seek ways to mitigate new industry challenges, with the current contracts set to expire in 2028.
Between the lines: Fain’s retaliation against Mock has been a focal point of complaints about the UAW president, prompting a federal monitor overseeing the UAW to investigate his leadership.
Finding that Fain’s actions against Mock were retaliatory, the monitor ordered that the secretary-treasurer’s responsibilities be reinstated, which included purchasing, benefits, and pensions.
The monitor also found that Fain’s brash mouth isn’t limited to negotiation tactics with automakers—citing instances in which the UAW president yelled and swore at Mock or other UAW members.
Bottom line: Internal leadership turmoil within the UAW, if it escalates, could disrupt labor relations stability and create uncertainties for automakers' long-term workforce strategies—potentially affecting production, labor costs, and investment plans as the industry navigates major transitions through 2028.
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