President Joe Biden is rushing to the picket line to join the striking United Auto Workers (UAW) in Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday, one day before former President Donald Trump plans to address former and current union workers in the city.
Biden announced Sept. 22 that he would join the picket lines after the UAW expanded its strike to 38 additional plants spanning across the U.S. while negotiations continue to stall. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre touted the visit as “historic,” saying the president has always been “on the side of workers” getting their “fair share.”
It was revealed Sept. 18 that former President Donald Trump would travel to Detroit, Michigan, on Wednesday during the second GOP presidential debate to speak with plumbers, electricians and autoworkers currently or previously part of the UAW. Though Biden’s announcement came after Trump’s, the White House said the decision to go to the picket line had nothing to do with the former president’s.
“This is a decision to visit the picket line was based off his own desire,” Jean-Pierre told reporters during a Monday briefing. “This is what the president wanted to do to stand, to stand with autoworkers. That’s what you’re going to see the president do tomorrow. And he, as you all know, Shawn Fain’s invitation from last week, he accepted that invitation and is proud to do so.”
United Auto Workers (UAW) picket outside of the Stellantis Mopar parts facility on September 22, 2023 in Naperville, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The UAW strike began after contract negotiations between the union and autoworkers expired Sept. 14. The UAW first demanded a 46% pay raise over five years and a shortened four-day work week, though the union requested to be paid for a 40-hour work week.
The UAW expanded its strike Friday to 38 additional plants across the country as automakers and the union continue to negotiate.
“This is going to be a historic, historic trip that’s going to underscore the president is indeed the most pro-union president in history, and so that’s what you’re going to see,” Jean-Pierre told reporters Monday. “He’s going to be standing, going to join the picket line, standing in solidarity with the men and women of UAW. That is important for the president, he believes, to do and as they continue to fight for a fair share of the value they helped create.”
Following Trump’s announcement to head to Detroit, Democrats close to the White House were reportedly worried the Biden campaign needed to step up its game, some speculating that the former president’s strategy may be more advanced than in the past, according to a Politico report. The White House also reversed its decision earlier in September to send two top Biden officials to Detroit to aid in negotiations, instead opting for a video call with all negotiating parties.
“It’s disingenuous for Joe Biden to pretend that he cares about UAW workers, when the only reason he’s even going to Michigan on Tuesday, is because President Trump said that he is going to Michigan on Wednesday,” Jason Miller, Trump’s senior campaign advisor, told the Daily Caller. “And at this point, words are meaningless. Joe Biden’s policies over the past several decades, from NAFTA to China’s entry into the WTO [World Trade Organization] and more recently with his insane EV mandate have destroyed, or are destroying the American auto industry and hurting working middle-class voters in Michigan and other states.”
“So unless Joe Biden shows up on Tuesday, and commits to completely eliminating his insane EV mandate, then nothing changes. It’s all just words,” Miller continued. “Biden can’t show up and purport to shake the hands of UAW members and offer them encouragement while kicking them in the backside at the same time.”