Shawn Fain Leads UAW into New Term with Focus on Worker Empowerment

UAW Leadership Embarks on New Term Focused on Expansion and Worker Empowerment

In a ceremony underscoring dedication to its members and the wider working class, Shawn Fain began his new four-year term as President of the United Auto Workers (UAW). Alongside him, the newly elected International Executive Board (IEB) pledged to advance the interests of UAW members and their communities.

Press materials, including photos from the swearing-in ceremony, were made available for public use.

Paul Caucci, a distinguished UAW member and seasoned union leader, administered the oath to Fain, now serving his second term as International Union president. Fain subsequently inducted the new members of the International Executive Board.

Addressing the audience post-ceremony, Fain discussed the union's strategic priorities for the next four years, emphasizing growth, empowerment of workers, and securing improvements for the working class.

Fain drew connections between historical collective actions of the UAW, such as the 1930s sit-down strikes, and contemporary challenges, including the 2023 Stand Up Strike. “Our union built the American Dream,” he noted, reflecting the union's enduring influence.

He articulated the union's future goals: “Over the next four years, our job is to do more than just to ensure the survival of our organization. We need to grow. We need to build. We need to win. And to do that, we need each other.”

Reaffirming the democratic nature of the UAW, Fain stressed the importance of member participation in shaping the union's direction. “This is a democracy,” Fain said. “We are only in this room because the members put us in this room. And we will only win what the members are prepared and empowered to fight for.”

Addressing broader labor movement challenges, Fain highlighted issues such as wealth inequality and corporate influence. He called on union leaders to address these challenges through faith, solidarity, and collective action. “The only path to turning this situation around is by abandoning fear and having faith that’s rooted in solidarity,” Fain stated.

Fain concluded by urging a unified approach to the upcoming challenges: “It’s not our individual legacies on the line. It’s not just our union on the line. It’s the fate of the working class and the fate of humanity.” He added, “And together, we will rise to the occasion—to meet our generation’s defining moment. And we will do it as a United UAW.”

New Members of the UAW International Executive Board

Joining President Fain, the following were sworn into the UAW International Executive Board:

• President: Shawn Fain
• Secretary-Treasurer: Brandon Campbell
• Vice President: Laura Dickerson
• Vice President: Kevin Gotinsky
• Vice President: Ryan Hiestand
• Region 1 Director: LaShawn English
• Region 1A Director: Mark DePaoli
• Region 1D Director: Scott Zuckschwerdt
• Region 2B Director: David Green
• Region 4 Director: Lucas DeSpain
• Region 6 Director: Mike Miller
• Region 8 Director: Tim Smith
• Region 9 Director: Jimmy Lakeman
• Region 9A Director: Brandon Mancilla

With a $100 million investment, the UAW aims to expand through new organizing initiatives, increase worker influence, and secure a better future for workers and their families. Addressing critical issues such as wealth inequality, the union intends to tackle challenges posed by automation and artificial intelligence, advocate for a trade policy that prioritizes workers, and work towards a political framework centered on worker welfare. These efforts will focus on achieving core objectives: higher wages, quality healthcare, secure retirement, and increased personal time.