U.S. President Joe Biden will travel to Michigan on Tuesday to express his support for the United Auto Workers’ strike against Detroit automakers. This puts him in the middle of the dispute between his labor allies and major manufacturers. Biden, a Democrat, considers himself a pro-union president, and his visit to the state will emphasize his support for union workers’ right to strike and engage in collective bargaining.
In a post on X, Biden stated, “Tuesday, I’ll go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create. It’s time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs.” This visit comes a day before former President Donald Trump is scheduled to be in Michigan.
Biden is running for re-election in 2024 and is likely to face Trump, who is currently the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination. Trump’s campaign spokesperson criticized Biden’s trip to Michigan, calling it “a cheap photo op.” The campaign stated that Biden’s visit was only scheduled because Trump announced his own visit for the following day.
The UAW invited Biden to visit workers on their picket lines and announced plans to expand their Detroit strike to parts distribution centers across the United States at General Motors (GM.N) and Chrysler parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI). The UAW stated that progress has been made in talks with Ford Motor (F.N).
According to Jeremi Suri, a historian and presidential scholar at the University of Texas at Austin, it is rare for a president to visit strikers. Even pro-labor Democratic President Jimmy Carter never visited a picket line. Suri believes that Biden’s identification of the presidency with striking workers, rather than siding with industry or staying neutral, would be a major shift.
The UAW has not yet endorsed Biden’s re-election, unlike numerous other unions. Biden has called on automakers to do more to ensure that record corporate profits translate into record contracts for the UAW, echoing the sentiments of union leaders.
Both the Detroit Three automakers and the UAW have a lot at stake in federal policy decisions. The automakers rely on Washington for subsidies for electric-vehicle production and are negotiating with the Biden administration over future emissions rules. The UAW is concerned about job losses due to the transition to electric vehicles.
Trump plans to travel to Detroit to speak at a rally for auto workers as he tries to win back blue-collar voters who supported Biden in the 2020 election. Trump has urged rank-and-file union workers to ignore their leaders. It is unclear if he will visit the picket lines.
The last U.S. president to show support for striking workers was likely Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. Roosevelt invited striking coal workers to the White House to address a coal shortage. Like Biden, Roosevelt faced challenges in negotiating a resolution.
Opinions among workers on the picket lines regarding Biden’s visit are mixed. Some believe that politicians should stay out of the dispute, while others welcome the support if the strike continues. Workers like Laura Zielinski and Thomas Morris expressed their personal views on Biden’s potential visit and the impact it could have on the negotiations.
In conclusion, President Biden’s visit to Michigan demonstrates his support for the United Auto Workers’ strike and his commitment to the rights of union workers. This visit puts him in direct contrast with former President Trump, who is also planning a visit to the state. The UAW’s endorsement of Biden’s re-election is still pending, and both the automakers and the union have significant interests at stake in federal policy decisions. The historical significance of a president visiting strikers is noted, and opinions among workers regarding Biden’s visit vary.
