President Biden Joins Striking Autoworkers in Historic Show of Support
President Joe Biden made history on Tuesday as he joined striking autoworkers in Belleville, Michigan, showing his unequivocal support for their demands for substantial wage increases and other benefits. This unprecedented visit marked the first time in modern history that a U.S. president has joined a picket line alongside striking workers.
Sporting a union baseball hat, President Biden stood in solidarity with the striking members of the United Auto Workers (UAW), affirming that they rightfully deserve a “significant raise and other benefits.”
“Stick with it because you deserve a significant raise and other benefits to take back what you lost,” President Biden passionately expressed to the assembled workers.
Reflecting on the 2009 government bailout of U.S. automakers, which included wage cuts for autoworkers, the President emphasized that autoworkers should be thriving economically.
“The fact of the matter is that you guys, the UAW, you saved the automobile industry back in 2008 … you made a lot of sacrifices,” President Biden stated through a bullhorn. “You gave up a lot. And the companies were in trouble. But now they’re doing incredibly well, and guess what? You should be doing incredibly well, too.”
The President’s presence garnered thunderous applause from the strikers. When asked about the demand for a 40% raise, one of the central points in the ongoing negotiations, President Biden firmly stated, “Yes. I think they should be able to bargain for that.”
The White House reiterated its stance of unwavering support for the striking autoworkers, emphasizing that the administration will not intervene in negotiations.
“He is pro-UAW. He is pro-workers. He has said that the middle class, that unions, built the middle class,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declared on Monday. “This is something that he said over and over again. He’s always been on the side of workers… He’s always going to stand on the side of workers, always.”
UAW President Shawn Fain expressed gratitude to President Biden for his historic visit, calling it a “generation-defining moment.”
“Thank you, Mr. President, for coming to stand up with us in our generation-defining moment,” said Fain.
“We do the heavy lifting. We do the real work,” Fain continued, emphasizing the vital role of the workforce in the auto industry.
President Biden’s visit comes on the 12th day of ongoing negotiations between the UAW and major automakers, including Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. In addition to pushing for wage increases, the striking workers have been advocating for various other improvements, including making all temporary workers permanent, cost-of-living adjustments, enhanced pension benefits for current retirees, and the reinstatement of pensions for new hires.
The President’s presence on the picket line has added momentum to the autoworkers’ cause and underscores the importance of their demands in shaping the future of the American labor landscape.
