DETROIT – Strikes by the United Auto Workers union against General Motors, Ford Motor, and Stellantis are set to receive special attention from the presidents this week in Michigan. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden visited a picket line at a GM parts facility in Belleville, following an invitation from UAW President Shawn Fain. Former President Donald Trump, a frontrunner among Republicans in the 2024 presidential race, is scheduled to hold a rally on Wednesday night at an auto supplier in Clinton Township, Michigan.
Biden and Trump, both potential candidates for the 2024 presidential election, are currently tied in the polls. They are seeking to secure support from blue-collar voters, including Darius Collier, who is currently on strike and has expressed indifference towards the candidates.
“It would be good if they actually show the support that we need to get through this,” said Collier, who works at Mopar facility in Centerline, Michigan. This facility is one of 10 that might potentially be closed under Stellantis’ recent contract proposal.
Michigan voters played a crucial role in electing both Biden and Trump in the past two elections. They have gained support from the UAW, although in different ways.
While the UAW has historically supported Democrats, including Biden in 2020, Fain has not yet re-endorsed the president. Trump has managed to gain support from many union members.
“Both President Trump and President Biden understand the importance that Michigan has electorally, and there’s a realization that elections can be very close, so they want to be seen frequently. The UAW strike is a wonderful, high-publicity moment to deploy their message and be seen once again,” said Mark Burton, a former chief strategist of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Both Biden and Trump have made appearances at UAW rallies, with Biden visiting a picket line and Trump holding a rally in Macomb County, Michigan.
While Fain has appeared with Biden, he has not yet endorsed him and has expressed doubts about the president’s claims of being pro-union. Fain, however, has been clear about his position on Trump and has stated that the UAW is fighting against corporate greed and for the working class.
Trump has gained support among blue-collar workers, with some workers expressing admiration for his business expertise. However, concerns have been raised about his stance on electric vehicles, as they are expected to require fewer employees for production.
Biden’s visit to the picket line may serve as an olive branch to secure the UAW’s endorsement and to gain leverage in ongoing negotiations with the automakers. Overall, both presidential candidates are using the UAW strike as an opportunity to appeal to blue-collar voters and make their presence known in Michigan.
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