UAW President Shawn Fain conducted a livestreamed town hall on September 11, highlighting growing worker unrest amid economic insecurity and political tensions, particularly regarding the Trump administration’s moves towards autocracy. During his 45-minute address, Fain supported Trump’s trade policies, labeling them beneficial for workers, while steering clear of condemning the administration’s threats to democracy or its militaristic agenda. He emphasized the UAW’s collaboration with the Trump administration on tariffs, rejecting broader international worker solidarity.
Fain attempted to present the UAW’s actions as inherently pro-worker, despite the reality that these measures have often resulted in job cuts and inflated costs. He asserted the UAW would lead a significant confrontation with management in May 2028, discouraging immediate worker action against current challenges. The article critiques Fain’s rhetoric for masking the union’s betrayal of workers’ interests, pointing to historical precedents where collaboration with capitalist interests led to severe concessions for the working class.
The UAW’s support of Trump is seen as a continuation of its longstanding alignment with pro-capitalist politics, and Fain faced pushback during the town hall, as rank-and-file members expressed frustration over layoffs and unsafe working environments. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees is presented as a necessary alternative for workers seeking to reclaim power from the UAW bureaucracy, stressing the need for an independent, internationalist movement that addresses workers’ rights and challenges the current union leadership’s alignment with nationalistic policies.
