Biden Administration Withdraws Key Officials from Detroit to Help Broker Deal with Striking Automakers
Detroit, MI – In a surprising move, the Biden administration has announced that two key officials will no longer be sent to Detroit to assist in brokering a deal between striking autoworkers and the Big Three car companies. A White House official confirmed that President Joe Biden had initially planned to dispatch White House senior advisor Gene Sperling and acting Labor Secretary Julie Su to support discussions between the companies and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.
However, the White House and the UAW union have mutually agreed to conduct virtual negotiations via Zoom instead. This decision was made for the convenience and safety of all parties involved. The possibility of Sperling and Su visiting Detroit next week has not been ruled out entirely, but there are currently no concrete plans for their travel.
“We’ll continue to assess travel timing based on the active state of negotiations,” stated the White House official.
President Biden expressed his support for the striking autoworkers during an address last week, calling on Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis to share their record profits with their workers. Despite this show of support, the UAW has not been particularly receptive to the involvement of the White House.
UAW President Shawn Fain made it clear in an interview with MSNBC that he does not believe that the White House has a major role to play in resolving the ongoing dispute. Fain emphasized that the battle is about the workers standing up for economic and social justice and getting their fair share, rather than being centered around any political figure.
The strike, which involves nearly 13,000 UAW members, is taking place at three key plants in Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. Notably, this is the first time the union has simultaneously targeted all three automakers.
Fain warned on Monday that if “serious progress” is not made in negotiations by mid-day Friday, the UAW would escalate the strike by launching additional strikes at more Ford, GM, and Stellantis plants. A video released by the union set a new deadline for noon on Friday, September 22.
President Biden, who has sought to align himself closely with the labor movement, may face a significant test of his commitment to organized labor if the strikes continue to expand and pose a threat to the broader economy. This development comes as Biden prepares for a possible second term in office.
In contrast, former President Donald Trump, who previously attacked the UAW’s leadership, has planned a visit to Detroit to speak with union members next week. This move is in lieu of attending the upcoming GOP primary debate.
As negotiations continue and tensions mount, the fate of the striking autoworkers hangs in the balance, and their fight for better working conditions and fair treatment remains unresolved.