United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain expects to unionize at least one nonunion plant this year, possibly more.
In fact, in the next week or so, Fain told the Detroit Free Press, the union will announce other nonunion automaker plants where 30% and 50% of the workers have signed cards to unionize. It already has reached the 30% level at Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai plants in Alabama and 50% at Volkswagen Chattanooga in Tennessee.
Fain said all he needs is one plant where 70% of the workers have signed cards, then take it to a vote and win. That would provide the momentum to win more, he said. But unionizing auto plants in the South has been a daunting challenge. Fain said if the union doesn’t get a win, don’t count him out.
“Anything worthwhile, it’s worth the work,” Fain said in a telephone interview Thursday. “I believe we’ll see success in the near term and I think we’ll see a victory in the near term. But we’re in this for the long haul. We’re not going to walk away from this. This is our mission. This isn’t about the UAW, it’s not about me. It’s about the working class people and getting their fair share for the product they produce.”