"UAW Contract Talks Begin Amidst Strike Threats and Symbolic Handshake Ban"

The United Auto Workers (UAW) has formally begun contract negotiations with Detroit automakers General Motors, Ford Motor, and Stellantis. UAW President Shawn Fain is taking a confrontational and politically savvy approach, aiming to win a "war" against "corporate greed." The negotiations are expected to be contentious and costly, with concerns about the industry's transition to electric vehicles and potential job losses. The talks coincide with contract negotiations with Canadian union Unifor, adding complexity and competition. Fain has not committed to selecting a target company for negotiations, and a strike is possible when the current UAW Master Agreement expires in mid-September. The negotiations will also address issues such as wages, benefits, and the auto industry's transition to EVs.