Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: United Autoworkers
This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we’ve covered all 65 of our affiliates. Next up is the UAW.
Name of Union: The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
Mission: To improve working conditions, create a uniform system of shorter hours, higher wages, health care and pensions; to maintain and protect the interests of workers under the jurisdiction of the international union. To unite in one organization, regardless of religion, race, creed, color, sex, political affiliation or nationality, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, all employees under the jurisdiction of the international union. To improve the sanitary and working conditions of employment within the workplace and in the accomplishment of these necessary reforms. To educate the membership in the history of the labor movement and to develop and maintain an intelligent and dignified membership; to vote and work for the election of candidates and the passage of improved legislation in the interest of all labor. To enforce existing laws; to work for the repeal of those which are unjust to Labor; to work for legislation on a national scale, having as its object the establishment of real social and unemployment insurance, the expense of which to be borne by the employer and the government. To engage in legislative, political, educational, civic, welfare and other activities, which further, directly or indirectly, the joint interests of the membership of this organization in the improvement of general economic and social conditions in the United States, Canada and generally in the nations of the world.
Current Leadership of Union: Shawn Fain serves as president of the UAW. He has been a member of the union for 29 years. Hailing from a family of UAW members, Fain got his start with the union in 1994 as an electrician for Chrysler at Kokomo Casting Plant in his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana. He served his local at every level, from Education & Bylaws chair to CAP chair to being elected to five terms as a skilled trades committeeman, and plant shop chairman for UAW Local 1166. He was a UAW negotiator in 2009, during the Chrysler bankruptcy, and was elected again as negotiator in 2011. He became an international representative in 2012. In 2015, he chaired the International Skilled Trades Sub-committee. The membership elected Fain to the office of president in the first-ever direct election for the international executive board, and he was sworn in on March 26, 2023.
Margaret Mock serves as secretary-treasurer, and the UAW has three vice presidents: Laura Dickerson, Rich Boyer and Mike Booth. The UAW has nine regional directors, including Lashawn English, Mark Depaoli, Steve Dawes, David Green, Brandon Campbell, Mike Miller, Tim Smith, Jimmy Lakeman and Brandon Mancilla.
Current Number of Members: 1 million active and retired members.
Members Work As: Autoworkers and in other jobs.
Industries Represented: Multinational corporations, small manufacturers and state and local governments to colleges and universities, hospitals and private nonprofit organizations.
History: Founded in 1935, the UAW was initiated and led by autoworkers. In 1936, they launched the Flint Sit-Down strike, one that lasted 44 days. They refused to leave the GM plants until their working conditions were improved—good wages, pension, health care and more—igniting a new wave of industrial labor movements across the country. The UAW helped pass the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. To this day, its legacy continues.
To learn more, watch the following video:
Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The UAW’s Local Union Communication Association helps UAW locals produce top-quality, effective communications. The UAW publishes Solidarity magazine and SolidWeb,a free website-building tool designed specifically for UAW locals. UAW publishes Solidarity magazine. UAW supporters can take action by reviewing UAW members’ community service and lists of products manufactured by its members. The UAW has established ethical practices codes and resources for women workers, retirees, health and safety and veterans along with various standing committees.
Learn More: Website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, X, TikTok, Threads, Reddit, LinkedIn