President Joe Biden’s recent trip to Chicago on June 28th to deliver a speech on “Bidenomics” took an unexpected turn as he learned about a soon-to-close auto factory in Belvidere, Illinois. The news became an immediate priority for the president, spurring him to order an economic analysis and engage in discussions with the company.
However, on Thursday, President Biden plans to visit Belvidere to highlight the reopening of the shuttered Stellantis plant, a result of a settlement following a targeted strike by the United Auto Workers union. The president’s deputy chief of staff, Jen O’Malley Dillon, emphasized that the reopening signifies a focus on workers by the Biden administration and reflects his vision for the future of the country.
Stellantis has committed to hiring back 1,200 employees to build a pickup truck and adding 1,300 workers for a battery factory. This development aligns with Biden’s emphasis on a worker-centered economy while transitioning to electric vehicles.
Despite concerns about the overall economy and inflation, the agreement with the UAW and the auto plant reopening is seen as a broader trend that underscores the value of workers in the president’s economic strategy. By reaching out to blue-collar voters and speaking at factories and union halls, President Biden aims to engage with disaffected communities that have traditionally supported Republican candidates, like former President Donald Trump. He believes that innovation in the auto industry, particularly in electric vehicles, should not result in layoffs or factory closures.
While President Biden promotes the shift to electric vehicles, he faces opposition from those who argue that it will lead to job losses in the manufacturing sector. Despite these challenges, President Biden remains committed to retooling and revamping industrial companies while promoting job creation within the same communities.
On Thursday, President Biden is scheduled to meet with UAW President Shawn Fain and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to further solidify his commitment to the workers and unions. However, the UAW’s endorsement for the 2024 election is still pending, as the union navigates its strategy for the future.
The contracts, if approved by 146,000 union members in the coming weeks, would dramatically raise pay for auto workers, potentially translating into a 33% wage gain. Top assembly plant workers could earn roughly $42 per hour, a significant boon for the working class.
