UAW President Advocates for Solidarity with Mexican Autoworkers

UAW President Addresses Mexican Autoworkers on International Workers Day

On International Workers Day, also known as May Day, United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain delivered a poignant message to Mexican autoworkers, emphasizing solidarity and the shared struggles of workers across borders. Drawing from his personal history and family legacy in the automotive industry, Fain described growing up in Kokomo, Indiana, a town steeped in auto manufacturing heritage.

Fain, who began his career as an electrician at Chrysler, highlighted the unifying bond among workers, stating, "Through the union, I learned that no matter where you're from, if you work for a living, the working class is your family." He expressed unequivocal support for Mexican autoworkers, declaring, "Mexican autoworkers are not our enemy. You are our family."

The UAW leader critiqued the free trade systems that, according to him, have been detrimental to both Mexican and U.S. autoworkers. These systems, Fain argued, have fostered a competitive environment driving wages down, benefiting billionaires at the expense of the working class. He recounted the economic downturn in Kokomo during the 1990s, attributing factory closures and job losses to companies seeking cheaper labor overseas.

Highlighting the effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Fain noted that the promises of higher standards and increased employment opportunities never materialized for workers in either country. He pointed out that, when adjusted for inflation, wages for Mexican autoworkers have significantly decreased, with their earnings now only a fraction of what their U.S. and Canadian counterparts earn.

Fain praised the efforts of independent union movements in Mexico, such as those at GM Silao, Volkswagen, Audi, and Good Year in San Luis Potosi, for striving to close the wage gap and enhance labor conditions. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged ongoing challenges, including corporate resistance and judicial actions undermining independent unions.

The UAW is advocating for the establishment of a North American minimum wage for autoworkers to prevent companies from reducing wages to increase profits. Fain called for unity among workers in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, stressing that corporations are united in their goal to maximize profits at the workers' expense. "Divide and conquer" is the strategy he believes companies use to keep workers competing for scarce resources, while the rewards disproportionately favor the wealthy.

Fain pledged the UAW's support for Mexican autoworkers, asserting their right to better wages, independent unions, and improved living conditions. He affirmed that the UAW would employ various strategies, including tariffs, renegotiation of trade agreements like the USMCA, and political action, to ensure fair compensation and respect for all workers, regardless of nationality.

In closing, Fain expressed solidarity with Mexican workers, recognizing their cause as part of a broader struggle for dignity and fairness for the global working class. The message was conveyed on a day symbolizing the collective power and unity of workers worldwide.

This op-ed was originally published in La Jornada on April 30, 2025.

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