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UAW President Downplays Biden’s Role In Negotiations

UAW President Shawn Fain has downplayed the role of the White House in assisting with ongoing labor contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers labor union and the Big Three Detroit automakers. President Biden previously announced that two White House representatives would be dispatched to Detroit, but travel plans for the reps have since been put on hold. The UAW expanded its strike against GM and Ford on Friday.

UAW President Shawn Fain addresses UAW members.

UAW President Shawn Fain

Per a report from CNBC, Fain was asked if the White House could play a role in finding a deal between the UAW and automakers.

“No, not at all,”  Fain said. “The battle is not about the president. It’s not about the former president or any other person prior to that. This battle is about the workers standing up for economic and social justice and getting their fair share because they’re fed up with going backwards.”

Last week, the Biden administration announced that Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and White House Senior Adviser Gene Sperling would travel to Detroit in order to assist in negotiations. It was later revealed that both officials would instead sit in virtually via Zoom. Su and Sperling may still travel to Detroit, but for the moment, there are no firm plans to do so.

President Biden voiced support for the UAW strikes shortly after the union called for walkouts at all three of the Big Detroit automakers. Biden echoed the union’s call for record contracts on the back of automakers’ record profits.

“Over the past decade, auto companies have seen record profits, including the last few years, because of the extraordinary skill and sacrifices of the UAW workers. But those record profits have not been shared fairly, in my view, with those workers,” President Biden said immediately following the initial strike announcement.

“No one wants a strike. But I respect workers’ right to use their options under the collective bargaining system,” Biden added.

The UAW has yet to endorse Biden for reelection. Labor leaders have criticized Biden for signing a bill blocking a strike by U.S. rail workers last year, as well as inadequate protection for auto workers through the Inflation Reduction Act with regard to the industry-wide shift towards EVs.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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