From Amazon.Com, Inc. AMZN and UPS a Starbucks Corporation SEX and in Hollywood studios, organized labor is experiencing a resurgence in the United States after years of decline.
“Workers realize they’ve been screwed for decades and they’re fed up,” said the president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Shawn Fain The Guardian said in an interview published on Saturday.
In a pivotal year for American labor and politics, Fain became a leading figure among a new wave of labor leaders.
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A quietly assertive Midwesterner, Fain recently secured a groundbreaking contract with major automakers, attracting the attention of Joe Biden AND Donald Trump. Despite the concerns of some of his members, Fain threw his support behind the Democrats.
Now, according to The Guardian, bigger challenges await as the UAW expands its fight to states that have historically been resistant to unions.
He must unite his coalition in a contentious election cycle that will divide workers’ loyalties, the Guardian added.
The labor leader’s political rise culminated in his recent invitation as a guest at Biden’s State of the Union address. Both he and the union received a nationally televised recognition from the president.
At the Capitol event, Fain, with a freshly trimmed beard and dressed in a dark suit and tie, raised a powerful fist, the report said. This symbolized the changing message and tone of organized labor, reflecting their growing popularity.
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In an interview with the Guardian at UAW headquarters in Detroit, Fain criticized past leadership, denouncing what he called “corporate unionism.” He highlighted the loss of jobs and factories, advocating a more equitable approach to labor relations.
In the meantime, Elon Musk, Tesla, Inc.‘S TSLA The CEO strongly opposes unionization, the Guardian highlighted. In response to a complaint against SpaceX, Musk joined other companies in suing the National Labor Relations Board, questioning its constitutionality.
“Workers realize they’ve been screwed for decades and they’re fed up,” Fain said despite this context.
As for Musk, Fain admitted that the billionaire poses a tougher challenge, saying, “He’s the epitome of everything that’s wrong with this world.”
Read next: The UAW’s support for Joe Biden is not yet a done deal; The President of the Union says that formal discussions will be held to decide
This content was partially produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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