In response to the ongoing strike by unionized autoworkers in Detroit, President Joe Biden has taken action by dispatching two of his top aides to help resolve the situation. Biden expressed his sympathy for the union and suggested that the major automakers, known as the “Big 3,” should share their “record profits” with workers.
During a brief address at the White House, President Biden acknowledged that nobody wants to go on strike but emphasized his respect for workers’ rights to use their collective bargaining system and recognized the frustration among workers. The strike was announced by the United Auto Workers (UAW) after negotiations broke down with General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis.
To assist in reaching a “win-win” contract for both the companies and their employees, President Biden revealed that he is sending acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and senior aide Gene Sperling to Detroit.
Biden also mentioned that he had personally called both sides during the first day of negotiations and encouraged them to remain at the bargaining table for as long as possible. While acknowledging that the companies have made significant offers, he urged them to go further to ensure that their record corporate profits translate into record contracts for UAW members.
As a result of the strike, members of the United Auto Workers union began picketing at key facilities, including a General Motors assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri; a Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan, near Detroit; and a Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio. This marks the first instance in the union’s 88-year history where all three major automakers have been simultaneously targeted by strikes. The situation underscores the importance of negotiations and fair agreements for autoworkers in the United States.