This morning, the reformed UAW initiated what it called a new UAW tradition, the Members Handshake, in place of past practices. Instead of kicking off Big Three negotiations with what it called “a dog and pony show shaking hands with CEOs, we’re putting the membership first,” the UAW told members. Progressive, reform President Shawn Fain and International Executive Board members want to shake hands with workers at what previously would have been called Detroit Three plants.

“We have a once in a generation opportunity to make things right at the Big Three. We’re fighting to end tiers, to win back COLA and fair raises, and to secure our jobs in this transition to electric vehicles. If we stick together, as a united UAW, there’s nothing we can’t achieve. Let’s go make history,” The UAW said.

The UAW leadership went directly to the plant gates at Stellantis’s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, GM’s Factory ZERO, and Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant to shake members’ hands and take their message to the bargaining table.