Biden’s ‘Most Pro-Union President in US History’ Claim Could be Challenged by Auto Workers Strike

Potential Auto Workers Strike Puts Pressure on Biden’s Pro-Union Stance

The looming possibility of an auto workers strike is poised to challenge President Joe Biden’s assertion that he is the most pro-union president in U.S. history. The United Auto Workers (UAW) has threatened to initiate a strike against the nation’s three biggest automakers – General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis – if tentative contract agreements are not reached by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. The potential strike could have far-reaching economic implications and significantly impact the political landscape in the key battleground state of Michigan.

The Impact of an Auto Workers Strike

The auto industry accounts for approximately 3% of the nation’s gross domestic product, and as many as 146,000 workers may walk off their jobs if the strike goes ahead. The effects of such a move would be immediately felt in Michigan and other states with high concentrations of auto jobs, such as Ohio and Indiana. However, a prolonged strike could trigger car shortages and layoffs in auto-supply industries and other sectors.

Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, said: “Anything that goes beyond a week, you’re going to start feeling the pain. And anything beyond two weeks, that’s when the effects start to compound.”

Political Implications of a Strike

Biden has built his political career around the argument that the “middle class built America, and that unions built the middle class.” His administration has openly championed organized labor and promoted worker organization, with Biden frequently proclaiming himself “the most pro-union president in American history.”

However, these claims have been challenged by Shawn Fain, who was elected president of the UAW in March after promising a more confrontational stance in negotiating with automakers. Fain commented on CNN this week, saying, “I think there’s a lot of work to be done in that category.”

Biden’s Pro-Union Reputation under Scrutiny

Biden also faces criticism from former President Donald Trump, who is now pushing for the UAW to endorse him. Trump has argued against Biden’s moves to require two-thirds of new passenger cars sold in the United States to be all-electric by 2032, suggesting it would “murder the U.S. auto industry and kill countless union autoworker jobs forever, especially in Michigan and the Midwest.”

However, some union leaders and members have dismissed suggestions that the U.S. should not embrace efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, arguing that manufacturers in China and elsewhere could rush in to produce electric vehicles if the U.S. doesn’t.

The Potential Fallout of a Strike

Should a strike occur, its political fallout would be felt most in Michigan, a state Biden won by nearly 3 percentage points in 2020. The state saw a Democratic-controlled governor’s office and Legislature for the first time in 40 years during last year’s midterms.

Mark Brewer, former chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, said: “The UAW is a major player in Michigan politics and if there is a strike, of whatever duration, it’ll have a political impact.”

Union support played a crucial role in helping Biden clinch the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, and it helped him win not just Michigan but Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. However, if Biden wants the UAW’s 2024 endorsement, he’ll have to earn it, according to UAW President Shawn Fain.

In conclusion, the possibility of an auto workers strike tests Biden’s pro-union reputation. The outcome could have significant political and economic implications, particularly in key battleground states like Michigan.

Original Story at apnews.com – 2023-09-13 09:30:00