Shawn Fain, the current president of the United Automobile Workers union, is not your typical union leader. Fain has taken a more aggressive stance in negotiations, refusing a handshake with Detroit automakers’ CEOs and demanding a 40 percent wage increase for members. He believes that workers deserve pay gains comparable to those of corporate leaders. In a recent video meeting, Fain even threw a list of proposals from Stellantis into the trash can, expressing his dissatisfaction with the company’s offers.
The presence of more assertive union leaders is not limited to the automobile industry. In Hollywood, union president Fran Drescher criticized the treatment of actors by major studios, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ president, Sean O’Brien, referred to corporate leaders as a “white-collar crime syndicate” and warned of a potential strike by UPS members.
The rise of these outspoken leaders can be attributed to a common sentiment among union members who feel neglected, facing meager wage growth and concession-filled labor agreements. Many workers are dissatisfied with the contracts negotiated by previous union leadership and believe they deserve better.
The shift towards more confrontational leadership is not unique to labor unions. It reflects a broader pattern of dissatisfaction and a more militant style of politics following the 2008 financial crisis. Unions, traditionally less democratic, have been slower to adapt to these changing dynamics.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the existing frustrations among union members who experienced precarious working conditions while corporations saw record profits. The combination of agitated members and assertive leaders has put pressure on employers, leading to concessions even without strikes.
However, the strident demands of union leaders can backfire economically and potentially endanger industries that need to adopt new business models. The U.S. automakers, for example, are seeking partnerships with nonunion battery manufacturers. Meanwhile, the new U.A.W. president, Shawn Fain, insists on organizing more battery workers and equal pay and working conditions for union and nonunion workers alike.
Despite the risks, union members are prepared to fight for their demands. Many are gearing up for potential strikes when their contracts expire. This more assertive approach by union leaders has given workers a renewed sense of empowerment and the belief that they can achieve better outcomes.
