CNN —UAW President Shawn Fain has become the X factor in the striking autoworkers’ pursuit of increased pay and benefits, injecting a level of chaos into negotiations that neither the automakers nor the White House predicted or quite know how to manage. The UAW on Friday struck at just three plants, one at each of the Big Three automakers. Nevertheless, the strike marks the first time in history the UAW has struck at all three automakers simultaneously. Fain told union members Thursday that the union’s strike strategy “will keep the companies guessing” and give union negotiators “maximum leverage” when they return to the bargaining table. Although Fain has at times praised Biden, he has also criticized the president for failing to do enough to help the autoworkers in their cause.

---

Persons: Shawn Fain, –, Fain, Jim Farley, Mary Barra, Stellantis, Joe Biden, Biden, Fain isn’t, ”, He’s, he’s, Curry, Wheaton, “, ” Wheaton Organizations: CNN, White, UAW, Big Three, Thursday, GM, National Labor Relations Board, Democratic, Chrysler, Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations Locations: Kokomo , Indiana, Indiana, Buffalo, Wheaton