UAW tries to reassert political power in Michigan despite internal divisions

UAW Tries to Reassert Political Power in Michigan

Cyberzenhub.com – The UAW tries to reassert political power in Michigan by taking its campaign directly to union members’ homes, urging support for Democratic candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Organizers hope renewed faith in the United Auto Workers can help rebuild an electoral force that once played a defining role in the state.

Walter Usakowski, a retired UAW member who spent more than 45 years at Ford Motor Co.’s Sterling Axle Plant, was mowing his lawn in Shelby Township when canvassers approached. He said he was already planning to vote for the Democratic candidates backed by the union.

“I don’t even need to talk to you,” Usakowski said.

But he also recognizes the difficult work ahead. Many former coworkers supported President Donald Trump, he said, and the union faces a challenge in persuading enough members to return to the Democratic coalition.

Internal Divisions Shape the UAW’s Political Push

Michigan’s industrial workforce has long mattered in close state and national elections, yet union members are far from politically uniform. Wages, trade, inflation, health care and the cost of living can lead workers and retirees to very different conclusions about which candidates best represent their interests.

The UAW tries to reassert political influence after years of serious internal setbacks. The union has confronted declining membership, criticism over closed-door contract negotiations and corruption cases. Since 2017, more than 10 union officials have pleaded guilty in an investigation involving the theft of millions of dollars in membership dues.

Shawn Fain won the UAW presidency in 2023 after campaigning for more transparency. His leadership during labor disputes with Detroit’s three major automakers strengthened support among many members, and union officials are seeking to translate that energy into lasting political engagement.

“It’s not going to be an overnight thing,” said JJ Jewell, a member of the UAW Community Action Program executive committee. “Even if this election goes fantastically, that’s not mission accomplished. That means we’re 1% of the way done.”

Macomb County Highlights the Challenge

A recent canvassing weekend in Macomb County showed how difficult the effort may be. Trump carried the county by nearly 14 percentage points in 2024, making the Detroit-area county an important test of whether union outreach can bridge political differences among working-class voters.

Residents in suburban neighborhoods often voiced similar worries about household expenses, but they disagreed sharply over the political response. One resident blamed billionaires for many of the nation’s problems and planned to vote for Democrats. A nearby couple said they supported Trump and declined a flyer naming UAW-endorsed candidates.

Those conversations mirror a broader national divide. Union voters have traditionally leaned Democratic, especially in manufacturing states, but Trump has made a sustained appeal through criticism of corporate and political elites and promises to revisit trade policies tied to factory-job losses.

In 2024, voters who belonged to a union or lived in a union household were divided between Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. More than half supported Harris, while 44% backed Trump, illustrating both the Democratic advantage and the Republican foothold in organized labor.

Endorsements and Workplace Issues Remain Central

Betty Anderson, a UAW member, said she believes the union is moving in the right direction but doubts its political divisions will disappear quickly. She criticized members who voted for Trump, arguing that they were turning away from working-class interests.

“I don’t think those people are ever going to be on our side,” Anderson said. “They think they have an opportunity to be in an elite class.”

For organizers, the goal goes beyond distributing endorsement lists. The UAW is trying to connect election results with collective bargaining gains, workplace protections and economic policy. Whether that message changes enough minds will help determine how successfully the UAW tries to reassert political power in Michigan.

Michigan UAW Political Outreach FAQ

Why is the UAW canvassing members in Michigan? The union is encouraging members and retirees to support endorsed candidates while making the case that elections affect contracts, labor protections and economic policy.

Why is Macomb County important to the effort? The county has a large number of working-class and union-connected voters, but Trump carried it by nearly 14 percentage points in 2024, making it a key place to measure political divisions.

What is the UAW’s main obstacle? The union must overcome distrust created by past corruption and internal secrecy while addressing major political differences among members on trade, prices and the economy.