Labor & Workforce

Biden wins UAW support, key to Wisconsin/Michigan victory

Washington, Jan 24 (EFE). – The President of the United States, Joe Biden, on Wednesday received the public support of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, whose support for the Democrats is vital in swing states such as Wisconsin and Michigan.

UAW President Shawn Fain announced the union’s endorsement of Binden’s candidacy Wednesday at the UAW’s annual convention in Washington, where the president was a guest.

“I’m honored to have your back and you have mine,” Biden told the cheering crowd at the close of the event.

Shawn Fain said in his speech that Biden had earned the union’s endorsement and compared the Democrat’s support to former President Donald Trump’s (2017-2020) anti-union stance.

“This November we can stand up and elect someone who stands with us and supports our cause, or we can elect someone who will divide us and fight us every step of the way. That’s what this choice is about,” said Fain

The UAW leader then went on to compare Biden’s support during the historic 2023 auto strike at the “Big Three” (General Motors, Stellanis, and Ford) with Trump’s lack of support during the 2019 GM strike.

“He heard the call and he stood up and he showed up,” Fain said of Biden.

Instead, the UAW leader added of Trump: “He said nothing. He did nothing. Not a damn thing, because he doesn’t care about the American worker.”

In his speech, Biden also compared his administration to the former one, noting that during Trump’s tenure, six auto plants closed across the country and tens of thousands of auto jobs were lost.

“The days of working people being dealt out of a deal are over in this country as long as I’m president,” Biden said.

The president added that during his time in office, 20 auto plants opened in the US, creating more than 250,000 jobs were created.

The UAW is one of the most powerful unions in the US, with more than 391,000 active members and more than 580,000 retired members.

In electoral terms, Wisconsin and Michigan (where many of the auto plants are located) are swing states, i.e. the difference between Republicans and Democrats is very small, and therefore victory there is key in presidential elections. EFE

pem/mcd

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