President Biden will join the picket in solidarity Members of the United Auto Workers Union on Tuesday in Detroit, he declared On social media.
Mr. Biden likes to call himself the most pro-union president, and seeing workers strike — a highly unusual move for a president — would certainly send a strong message.
“On Tuesday, I’ll be going to Michigan to picket and stand in solidarity with the men and women of the UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they’ve helped create,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “It’s time for a win-win deal that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with good-paying UAW jobs.”
UAW President Sean Fine had invited the president to join the picket. When a reporter asked the president Friday if he would do so, the president deflected the question and said, “Will you come with me?”
When he addressed the strike situation last week, the president said the companies involved had made “significant concessions” but more needed to be done.
“Companies have made some significant concessions, but I believe it needs to go further – record deals to ensure record corporate profitability,” said Mr. Biden said.
The strike began after union leaders failed to reach an agreement on a new contract with Ford, General Motors and Stellandis. UAW workers want Four-day, 32-hour workweeks, five-day, 40-hour workweeks, as well as substantial wage increases. They want higher wages and retirement benefits, among other demands, instead of 401K savings plans.
The UAW announced Friday It was expanding The strike covers 38 General Motors and Stellandis parts distribution centers in 20 states. However, Ford has not been significantly included in the strike extension, as both sides have had positive contract talks in recent days.
