Key Points
- Firm Stance Taken: UAW President Shawn Fain has declared that pensions and retirement healthcare for all members are “non-negotiable” demands for the next contract negotiations in 2028.
- Early Pressure: The announcement was made during a livestreamed town hall address with just under 1,000 days remaining until the current contracts with the Detroit Three expire.
- Addressing Inequality: This move directly targets the two-tier system created after the Great Recession, which left newer UAW members without the traditional pension and retirement health benefits enjoyed by senior workers.
- A Clear Message to Automakers: Fain’s early declaration signals a determined and aggressive approach to the upcoming negotiations with Ford Motor Co., General Motors, and Stellantis.
With nearly 1,000 days still on the clock before the current auto contracts expire, United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain is already turning up the heat on Detroit’s Big Three automakers. In a powerful and unambiguous town hall address, Fain drew a clear line in the sand for the 2028 negotiations, vowing to reclaim benefits lost by a generation of autoworkers.
Fain’s Bold Proclamation from Solidarity House
Speaking from the union’s headquarters at Solidarity House in Detroit, Fain delivered a passionate 45-minute speech on Thursday, September 11, which was livestreamed to members. While he covered the current status and future of the union, his message was laser-focused on one central theme: the restoration of retirement security for every single member.
“He wants pensions and retirement health care for all UAW members,” the objective was stated plainly. Fain’s address served as the opening salvo in what is sure to be a contentious round of bargaining with Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler-parent Stellantis. By labeling these demands as non-negotiable, the UAW president is signaling that the union is unwilling to compromise on what it views as fundamental rights for its workforce.
Correcting a Post-Recession Sacrifice
The fight for pensions and retiree healthcare is rooted in the economic turmoil of the Great Recession. During that period of crisis for the American auto industry, the UAW made significant concessions to help keep the companies afloat. A major part of those concessions was the elimination of traditional defined-benefit pension plans and post-retirement healthcare coverage for all new hires.
This created a two-tiered system within the union, where veteran members retained their retirement packages while a growing number of younger workers were left with 401(k)-style plans and no guaranteed healthcare in their later years. Fain’s promise to reverse this is a direct appeal to this large segment of the union, aiming to unify the membership by ensuring equal benefits for equal work. He is framing this not as a new demand, but as the rightful restoration of a promise that was sacrificed during a national financial emergency.
The Battle for 2028 Begins Now
By making such a forceful declaration so far in advance of the contract expiration, Fain is employing a strategy of sustained pressure. Rather than waiting for the final months of negotiations, he is making the union’s core objectives public knowledge, allowing the message to resonate with workers, the public, and the automakers themselves. This preemptive move ensures that Ford, GM, and Stellantis cannot claim to be surprised by the UAW’s priorities when they arrive at the bargaining table.
The financial implications for the Detroit Three would be massive, and the companies will almost certainly resist the reinstatement of these legacy costs. However, Fain is betting that a unified and mobilized membership, energized by the prospect of securing a stable retirement, will give the union the leverage it needs to win this fight. The message from Solidarity House was clear: the countdown to 2028 has begun, and for the UAW, the fight for pensions is a battle it is determined to win.
