President Joe Biden has urged automakers to address the concerns of workers who have gone on strike at the major car companies in Detroit. The United Auto Workers (UAW) strike, affecting factories owned by General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, marks a significant industrial labor action in the US.
President Biden acknowledged the workers’ right to use collective bargaining and expressed his understanding of their frustrations. While the auto companies have made some offers in negotiations, the President called for further concessions to ensure that record corporate profits translate into fair contracts for the UAW.
The support of labor unions like the UAW, which represents 146,000 workers, is crucial to President Biden’s strategy for securing re-election in 2024. Key states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan, where carmakers are located, will be instrumental in determining the outcome of the election.
In response to the strike, President Biden announced that members of his team, Gene Sperling and Labor Secretary Julie Su, will be dispatched to Detroit to ensure the administration’s involvement in the discussions and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.
Former President Trump, a potential challenger to Biden in 2024, criticized Biden’s focus on electric vehicles and accused UAW leaders of betrayal. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also attributed the strikes to the Biden administration’s promotion of unionization, warning of increased costs for non-union workers and reduced profits for businesses.
The autoworkers’ strike coincides with ongoing strikes in other sectors, such as Hollywood writers and actors, which have disrupted TV and film production in the U.S.
Source: Reuters