WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden reached out to the President of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union last week to congratulate him on finalizing a new contract with General Motors and to wish him a happy birthday. This gesture symbolized the evolving relationship between the two since their initial meeting in the Oval Office on July 19.
UAW President Shawn Fain took a strong stance by launching a strike against major automakers GM, Ford, and Stellantis, demanding that political leaders choose between supporting unions or corporations. Biden, who has previously walked the line between the two, made efforts to build trust with Fain and the UAW by meeting with workers on the picket line in Michigan. These efforts ultimately led to the resolution of the strikes and significant pay raises for workers. However, despite Biden’s increasing support for union workers during the strike, there is no confirmation yet that the UAW will endorse him for re-election.
The relationship between Fain and Biden could play a crucial role in the outcome of the 2024 election, as the UAW represents over 380,000 members in key swing states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Gene Sperling, the White House liaison for the strike talks, maintained regular communication with the UAW and automaker executives to promote collaboration and engagement without intervening or mediating. The White House aimed to develop strong bonds with the UAW while also maintaining connections with the automakers, who are instrumental in achieving Biden’s goals concerning electric vehicles.
During the negotiations, Biden emphasized that autoworkers had made sacrifices during the 2008 financial crisis to support their employers. Now that the automakers are making significant profits, Biden argued that the workers should share in these rewards. However, this position was politically challenging for the president, who has faced criticism for his handling of the economy and concerns over rising inflation. Nonetheless, union households have historically been a crucial voter base for Democrats, and Biden garnered strong support from this group in the 2020 election.
While organized labor has largely backed Biden, the UAW’s endorsement remains uncertain. Fain has been critical of potential Republican candidate Donald Trump, but his relationship with Biden has been complicated at times. Despite occasional disagreements, Biden made efforts to show support for the UAW, including a visit to a Michigan picket line, which represented the first-ever presidential visit of its kind. However, Fain declined to endorse Biden, stating that the decision rests with the UAW’s leadership and membership.
Nevertheless, the White House viewed its relationship with the UAW as one of building trust during the negotiations. Tentative agreements were reached with Ford and Stellantis, and GM was on the verge of finalizing a deal as well. The White House remained in close communication with all parties involved, with economic adviser Gene Sperling even texting GM CEO Mary Barra and a UAW official while on a flight to ensure he was updated on progress.
In conclusion, President Biden’s efforts to build trust with the UAW during the strike negotiations have been met with mixed responses. While the UAW has not yet endorsed Biden for re-election, the evolving relationship between Fain and Biden could play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the 2024 election.
