If the latest strike with the big three seemed large, the next one in 2028 could be with the big six according to UAW president Shawn Fain
4 hours ago
–> 
–>
The UAW might have come to landmark agreements with Detroit’s big three, but they’re not done. President Shawn Fain says that when the UAW comes to the table again in 2028 it’ll be taking on the big five or big six. That signals a fight ahead with Tesla, Toyota, Honda, and maybe others.
“We’ve had thousands of non-union auto workers reaching out and wanting to join our movement.” With those words, Fain might have put a bit of a shiver under the collar of executives at Tesla, Toyota, and Honda. Those brands along with Volkswagen use thousands of workers that don’t belong to the UAW… yet.
Anyone with interest in the UAW strike can see the benefits to the members. That includes those who work for the automakers mentioned above. Not only may they have additional impetus to join the union but the union appears not only ready to welcome them with open arms but to go to battle with them.
advertisement scroll to continue
More: Toyota Gives Non-Unionized Workforce 9.2% Raise After UAW Deals In Detroit
“One of our biggest goals coming out of this historic contract victory is to organize like we’ve never organized before,” Fain said Sunday. “When we return to the bargaining table in 2028, it won’t just be with a Big Three, but with a Big Five or Big Six.” He didn’t specify exactly which companies he meant but he did kick the meeting off by going after Toyota.
The Japanese automaker announced on November 1st that it would increase wages across the board for non-union members. It also says that it would lower the number of years that it takes for workers to reach their maximum pay rate. As Fain put it, “they could’ve raised wages a month ago. They did it now because they know we’re comin’ for them.” He went on to call the pay raise the “UAW bump.”
What has yet to be seen is whether or not other automakers like Tesla, Honda, and Volkswagen will follow suit. Somewhat famously, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has long been against the idea of a union. He went as far as to call it “morally outrageous” years ago when one Tesla employee was driving a unionization effort. Had that effort succeeded, it might have altered the trajectory of Tesla.
Now, the future of all large-scale companies could change as a result of the UAW’s public victory. Fain specifically encouraged all unions regardless of industry to go into their next set of talks in 2028. That would allow not just the UAW to strike but unions across the nation to strike all in unison.
