The disagreement between the United Auto Workers and three major American automobile producers has expanded into a deepening strike. Both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden are portraying themselves as allies of the striking auto workers in what could set up one of the earliest elements of the 2024 election.
Biden announced that he would head to Michigan Tuesday to aid the striking auto workers. The president wrote on social media that he planned to “join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create.”
“It’s time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs,” Biden wrote.
The former president announced recently that he would skip the second official Republican primary debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to travel to support the auto workers.
Trump said that the Biden administration’s current plan to transition to electric vehicles would hurt auto workers in the long run. He said that much of the current manufacturing would move to China and produce vehicles that are not as dependable as current gasoline and diesel-powered cars.
Trump on UAW strike: “I’m on the side of making our country great. The autoworkers are not going to have any jobs because electric cars are going to be made in China. The autoworkers are being sold down the river by their leadership.” pic.twitter.com/LpVdIOAlvp
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) September 15, 2023
The leadership of the United Auto Workers (UAW) recently announced that it would expand the current strike. The workers are currently protesting proposed contracts from Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.
The strike’s expansion meant that 38 parts-distribution centers of General Motors and Stellantis, formerly Chrysler, were shut down.
The union has made some progress in its contract negotiations with Ford and did not expand its current strike against that company.
The strike’s expansion also comes during concern about whether or not the work stoppage will affect future contract negotiations or even the future of certain auto plants.
There is a fear among some conservatives that the strike could cost a significant number of jobs in Michigan. Ford has already laid off 600 non-striking employees. The company said that these employees were not able to keep working due to the nature of the strike. Stellantis has laid off 68 workers so far and may give pink slips to 300 more.