Unlike prior union leaders, Fain is attempting to negotiate with all three automakers at once, refusing to select a "target" company to focus on while extending deals at the others.
He's also been far more confrontational with the automakers compared to previous union leaders, at times launching personal attacks on executives.
"I think there's a reasonable chance they strike Stellantis first and then give a couple more days for Ford and GM to give a better offer."
The union could use that work stoppage as a warning to GM and Ford to finalize their deals, he said.
United Auto Workers members on strike picket outside General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant on Sept. 25, 2019 in Detroit.
Persons:
Michael Wayland, Shawn Fain, He's, he's, Fain, —, Wheaton, Biden, Gene Sperling, Morgan Stanley, That's, aren't, I've, Dennis Devaney, Clark
Organizations:
United Auto Workers, CNBC DETROIT – United Auto Workers, Detroit, General Motors, Ford Motor, GM, National Labor Relations Board, UAW, Worker Institute, Cornell University, Ford, White, Wall, Industry, NLRB, Hamtramck Assembly, CNBC
Locations:
Detroit, Stellantis, U.S, Hamtramck