10/13/2026
UAW’s Shawn Fain claims reelection
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain has declared victory in his reelection bid, with preliminary results showing approximately 68% of the vote. His United UAW slate also appears positioned to sweep the union’s International Executive Board, although the results must still be certified by the union’s court-appointed monitor.
On the Dash:
– Fain leads with 68%: Preliminary tallies show Fain ahead in every region, with Vice President Rich Boyer receiving approximately 26% in Michigan’s Region 1, his strongest showing.
– Major leadership shift: Brandon Campbell appears set to become secretary-treasurer, while Laura Dickerson, Kevin Gotinsky and Ryan Hiestand led the race for three vice president positions.
– Contract gains during his first term: The 2023 agreements with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis delivered 25% pay increases over four years and eliminated wage tiers.
– Organizing wins and setbacks: Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga voted 73% in favor of joining the UAW in 2024 and ratified their first contract in February. Workers at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama rejected union representation a month after the Volkswagen vote.
– Ongoing scrutiny: A court-appointed monitor found in June 2025 that Fain retaliated against Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock over spending-related disagreements. Bloomberg also reported in July that a federal grand jury was investigating allegations involving benefits for Fain’s fiancée and her sister. No charges have been filed, and Fain has denied the allegations.
– Results are not yet final: The monitor must certify the election, and members have at least 15 days after the unofficial results announcement to file protests. The winners’ terms extend through the swearing-in following the 2030 election.
– Next major test comes in 2028: Contracts with GM, Ford and Stellantis expire that year, setting up another round of negotiations. Fain has identified restoring traditional pensions and protecting retiree health care as key priorities.
The election positions Fain to lead the UAW into its next major bargaining cycle, following significant wage gains and organizing victories during his first term. However, internal oversight findings and the reported federal investigation remain challenges as the union prepares for negotiations with the Detroit Three.
