In Ohio, the aftermath of Trump’s broken promise still lingers. During his presidency in 2017, Trump assured the people of the state that industrial jobs would return and urged them not to sell their houses. However, less than two years later, the closure of the General Motors plant in Lordstown left workers feeling betrayed.
This broken promise by Trump has presented a significant opportunity for President Biden. Currently, there is another labor dispute unfolding in the same region, involving the United Auto Workers union and the Ultium Cells plant near Lordstown. This plant, backed by GM, manufactures electric vehicle battery cells. The UAW is demanding fair wages and working standards for the workers at this plant, comparable to those of traditional autoworkers. They are urging Biden to actively advocate for a fair resolution.
If Biden is successful in securing better wages for these Ohio workers, he can proudly claim to have restored quality manufacturing jobs in a region that Trump exploited for political gain. It will demonstrate that workers have a vested interest in transitioning to a decarbonized future. However, if these EV manufacturing jobs turn out to be substandard, it may lead workers in Ohio and elsewhere to view the broader decarbonization push as a threat to their livelihoods.
Shawn Fain, the president of UAW, emphasized the importance of fair wages at the Ultium plant, stating that Biden will not receive credit for his support in Lordstown if these jobs remain poverty-level. Currently, Ultium workers receive about half the wages of workers at the former GM plant nearby. Fain called on Biden to be more vocal in his support for fair treatment of these workers.
The dispute regarding the Ultium plant is part of broader contract negotiations between UAW and the Big Three automakers (Ford, Stellantis, and GM). UAW is seeking better wages and working conditions for their approximately 150,000 members at traditional Big Three plants, as well as for workers at EV battery plants. However, the automakers have established separate legal entities for EV battery plants, allowing them to bypass UAW’s contracts and pay lower wages.
With Biden’s focus on green technologies, the UAW wants him to use the financial incentives provided to pressure the Big Three automakers. They point out that federal loans supporting Ford-backed EV battery plants and Ultium came without any wage conditions. UAW believes that these loans should come with requirements for fair wages and safety standards.
While disputes like these are often seen as evidence of a conflict between the green transition and workers’ interests, the UAW sees an opportunity for green manufacturing jobs to benefit the Midwest. They emphasize the need for a just transition that does not lead to a race to the bottom for workers.
Biden frequently emphasizes the connection between climate and jobs, assuring workers that the green transition will bring them opportunities. The outcome of the wage negotiations at the Lordstown electric battery plant will set the tone for future developments, as it is the first unionized EV battery plant funded under Biden’s policies.
Steven Greenhouse, author and labor historian, likens this moment to the post-World War II period, when unions like UAW fought for fair treatment and helped build the middle class. If Biden can secure a good union contract with high wages for the workers at the Lordstown plant, it will demonstrate that autoworkers can benefit from the transition to electric vehicles.
Biden’s advisors acknowledge his support for a just transition and his efforts to impose conditions on green energy loans through the Inflation Reduction Act. However, they note the lack of congressional support for these provisions. Officials state that they are legally constrained from implementing new conditions but are exploring other options for further action.
To ensure the success of the green transition, a broad political coalition must unite behind it. It is crucial to ensure that the workers involved in building this transition have a genuine stake and are treated fairly. Trump’s failure in Lordstown serves as an opportunity for Biden to show that he can deliver on the promise of a decarbonized future for workers.
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