Former President Donald Trump and head of the United Auto Workers union, Shawn Fain, have exchanged words in a long conflict that is dusting up once again after Fain announced his endorsement of President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election.
According to The Hill, “Biden campaign officials believe the president can strongly contrast his support for the autoworkers and investments during his administration with the closure and relocation of factories during Trump’s presidency. Biden also endeared himself to UAW members by becoming the first president to march on a picket line during the union’s strike against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis.”
Trump took to Truth Social to post about his dislike for Fain, accusing him of selling the national automotive manufacturing industry to China.
RELATED: UAW targets Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama
“Shawn Fain doesn’t understand this or have a clue,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “Get rid of this dope & vote for DJT.”
“I will bring the Automobile Industry back to our Country.”
Meanwhile, as Trump and Fain clash on a national level, Alabama industry and political leaders are concerned about the negative effects that UAW’s unionization efforts could have on the state’s auto industry.
Among that group, is Gov. Kay Ivey who has called automotive manufacturing one of the state’s “crown jewel industries.”
“Alabama has become a national leader in automotive manufacturing, and all this was achieved without a unionized workforce,” said Ivey. “In other words, our success has been home grown — done the Alabama way.
“Unfortunately, the Alabama model for economic success is under attack. A national labor union, the United Automotive Workers (UAW), is ramping up efforts to target non-union automakers throughout the United States, including ours here in Alabama.”
“Make no mistake about it: These are out-of-state special interest groups, and their special interests do not include Alabama or the men and women earning a career in Alabama’s automotive industry,” she said.
Alabama is the No. 3 state for vehicle exports and fifth for total auto production.
“We know who’s been there for labor, and we sure as hell know who hasn’t,” Fain told UAW members last week.“We’re going to fight like hell, and we’re going to ensure Joe Biden is the next president.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
