Shawn Fain is an American labor unionist who has served as president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) since 2023. An electrician by trade, he worked at a Stellantis automotive parts plant in Kokomo, Indiana. He has been a UAW member for 29 years, and held a leadership role in a local chapter of the reform group "UAW Members United".
In 2023, Fain ran for the presidency of the union against incumbent Ray Curry, leading a slate that focused on opposing corruption, concessions and tiered pay structures. In the first election in which members of the union directly elected the president, Fain won with a narrow majority, and took office in March.
In office, he advocates a more aggressive negotiating style, and for the union to actively support politicians who share the union's agenda. Fain's relative labor militancy and bargaining style contributed to the UAW's decision to authorize the 2023 United Auto Workers strike.
