Speaking in front of a backdrop of American-made vehicles and a UAW sign, President Joe Biden, then a presidential candidate, speaks about recent proposals to guard U.S. jobs during a campaign stop in Warren, Michigan, Sept. 9, 2020.
Leah Millis | Reuters
DETROIT – President Joe Biden is asking for a “fair agreement” between the United Auto Staff and Detroit automakers that avoids “painful” plant closures, as the edges engage in contentious contract negotiations for roughly 150,000 unionized U.S. auto staff.
Biden – touted because the “most pro-union president” – said Monday that the negotiations provide a “win-win opportunity” for all sides, while calling for a “fair transition to a clean energy future.” He also hailed the union’s role in creating the American middle class, which he said these recent contracts should sustain.
“Because the Big Three auto corporations and the United Auto Staff come together — one month before the expiration of their contract — to barter a recent agreement, I would like to be clear about where I stand. I’m asking all sides to work together to forge a good agreement,” Biden said in a press release released by the White House.
Biden’s statement comes a month ahead of current four-year deals between the UAW and General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis expiring at 11:59 p.m. ET Sept. 14. It also comes months after UAW President Shawn Fain said the union was withholding a reelection endorsement for Biden until the union’s concerns in regards to the auto industry’s transition to all-electric vehicles are addressed.
Biden also said the edges should “take every possible step to avoid painful plant closings,” which could also be easier said than done, because the union pushes for hefty pay increases and Stellantis has already indefinitely idled an Illinois assembly plant earlier this 12 months.
The UAW considered Biden’s statement a win, as union leaders reminiscent of Fain have been calling for a “just transition” to all-electric vehicles, which threaten UAW jobs.
“At this critical moment in negotiations, we appreciate President Biden’s support for strong contracts that ensure good paying union jobs now and pave the best way for a just transition to an EV future,” Fain said in a press release.
EVs may be built with less manual labor. There are also major concerns regarding how the pay, advantages and organizing of three way partnership battery plants between the automakers and battery suppliers will impact the union and its members.
GM, Ford and Stellantis said in statements they proceed to bargain in good faith with the union for contracts that profit the employees and assist within the competitiveness of the businesses.
“We agree it’s critical for all sides to work together on a good labor contract – a contract that gives job security and supports good wages and advantages for our team members while enabling corporations to compete successfully domestically and globally,” GM said.