President Biden to Visit Michigan in Support of Striking Autoworkers
As strikes against the Big Three Detroit automakers enter their 10th day Sunday, Democrats are praising a visit by President Biden to Michigan, scheduled for Tuesday, to show support for autoworkers on the picket lines.
The White House announced the news Friday, as United Auto Workers members walked out of 38 parts warehouses and distribution centers for General Motors and Stellantis in 20 states. The strike escalation, which spared Ford, added another 5,600 workers to the work stoppage for a total of 18,300 — about 12 percent of the union’s autoworker members.
Biden’s Michigan visit — which labor experts say is probably the first time a sitting president has visited a strike in at least 100 years — will come a day before his expected rival in the 2024 presidential race, former president Donald Trump, plans to deliver his own speech to hundreds of union members in Michigan.
“President Biden is doing what he has always done, which is to stand with American workers,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. Buttigieg defended the president’s decision to visit, emphasizing that a strong deal would be a “win-win” for both parties: “Record profits should lead to record pay and record benefits for the workers.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) also commented on Biden’s trip, calling it a “historic event” justified by the “crisis of inequality in our economy.” She acknowledged that UAW leadership has not yet endorsed Biden, stating that it needs to be earned. Ocasio-Cortez believes Biden’s visit to Michigan will play a significant role in earning that endorsement.
Progress North of the Border
The strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis began on September 15 at three auto manufacturing plants in Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. The expansion of the strike on Friday focused on warehouses that supply parts to dealerships and repair centers across the nation, which could have a widespread impact on American drivers.
Negotiations between Ford and Unifor, the union representing Ford employees in Canada, have been occurring simultaneously with the UAW’s negotiations with the Big Three in the United States. On Sunday, Unifor announced that 54 percent of workers had voted to ratify a contract that includes significant wage increases and the reinstatement of cost-of-living allowances. Unifor is now prioritizing reaching a deal with Ford before beginning talks with General Motors and Stellantis.
Talks with Ford in the U.S. are still ongoing, though it is unclear if negotiations have continued with Stellantis and GM as well. UAW President Shawn Fain stated that the strike will not be extended to Ford for now as progress is being made and the company has made further concessions.
The demands of the striking workers go beyond fair wages, with job security and improved benefits being key issues. Workers voiced their concerns about wage tiers, highlighting the lower pay scale for warehouse workers compared to assembly-plant workers. The union is seeking wage increases, improved retirement benefits, more paid time off, and other perks. While all automakers are offering raises and other benefits, they argue that meeting all of the union’s demands is not feasible for the long-term viability of the companies.
High-Level Attention and Mixed Feelings
As President Biden prepares to visit Michigan in support of striking autoworkers, union members express mixed feelings about the upcoming political attention. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently visited the picket line to drop off food but refrained from commenting on the strike. Some strikers have reservations about political figures’ involvement due to past experiences, such as the Obama administration’s role in the 2008 federal bailout that led to major cuts in pay and benefits for autoworkers.
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