UAW President Refuses Handshake with Automaker CEOs Until Contract Deal

The United Auto Workers (UAW) will begin labor talks with Detroit's automakers without the usual handshake ceremonies, signaling a new approach by the UAW leadership. UAW President Shawn Fain has called the automakers the union's "enemies" and stated that he won't shake their hands until a deal is reached that reflects the needs of the workers. The negotiations will focus on demands such as restoring lost benefits, establishing cost-of-living adjustments, and setting tier-free wage scales. The automakers, on the other hand, want to ensure they have the cost structure to compete in the growing zero-emission transportation market.