UAW Leader Urges Support for Kamala Harris, Emphasizes Working-Class Values
Labor Leader’s Strong Call to Union Members
In a fervent appeal to union members, United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain urged support for Kamala Harris in the presidential election, casting it as a pivotal moment for the working class. Speaking directly to members on Tuesday night, Fain highlighted the stakes involved, positioning the election as a choice between the interests of ordinary workers and those of the billionaire elite.
“I want you to know where your union stands. Please listen to what your UAW leadership thinks about this election. I want you to keep an open mind,” Fain said in his speech, emphasizing a focused approach to the needs of everyday working people and calling out the usual “name-calling” and distractions that dominate political discourse.
A History of Class Warfare and the UAW’s Role
Quoting former UAW President Walter Reuther, Fain underscored the union’s historical commitment to political involvement, reminding members of the close ties between voting and securing workplace rights. “What the union fights for and wins at the bargaining table can be taken away in the legislative halls,” he noted. Reflecting on recent decades, he characterized U.S. economic policy as “a one-sided class war” on working people, highlighting the decline in union power, the effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the aftermath of the 2008 recession.
Fain described the current era as a “new Gilded Age,” where billionaires continually consolidate power by reshaping the rules in their favor. He placed the Democratic and Republican parties in direct opposition on these issues, with the Democratic party “interested in working-class people” and the Republicans more aligned with “the billionaire class.”
Union Endorsement and Key Swing State Influence
The UAW formally endorsed Kamala Harris in August 2024, with Fain as an outspoken supporter, particularly in his criticisms of Donald Trump. Trump’s recent comments disparaging the difficulty of autoworkers’ jobs further fueled Fain’s critiques. “You could have a child do it,” Trump claimed, a statement that Fain called out as both disrespectful and dismissive of auto workers’ contributions. He also labeled Trump a “scab” for his historical stance on labor rights, criticizing his preference for siding with employers during labor strikes.
Polling and the Impact of UAW’s Political Engagement
Recent polling by the UAW showed strong support for Harris among union members, with Harris leading Trump by 22 percentage points among UAW members in crucial swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The poll surveyed active and retired members and indicated that 57% of respondents favored Harris, while only 32% sided with Trump. This support widened among those who had received election information from the union, with Harris’s margin growing to 29 percentage points in that group. In Michigan specifically, Harris led Trump by 20 percentage points.
A Call to Action for Economic and Social Justice
Emphasizing the union’s duty to fight for economic justice, Fain urged members to recognize the influence this election will have on their lives and contracts. “This election will impact every organizing campaign, every contract, every grievance settlement,” he concluded, cautioning against a Trump victory, which he argued would embolden CEOs and employers to undercut worker rights. “If the billionaires take back our presidency through their lap dog, Donald Trump, you can be damn sure that every single CEO in this country will smell blood in the water.”
The UAW’s vocal endorsement and Fain’s passionate plea underscore the union’s stance as they rally support among the working class, framing the election as a defining choice for the future of labor and economic justice.