President Joe Biden joined strikers in the city of Van Buren, near Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday as they blocked a auto parts distribution plant in the state as part of a fight to improve conditions.
Biden took a megaphone and expressed solidarity with the strikers, who are represented by one of the country's largest trade unions — the UAW — that represents workers at a host of auto giants, including General Motors and Ford. The organization is considered a significant stronghold of voters for the Democratic Party, like other labor unions, and Biden himself has described himself as the "president of labor unions."
The strike against automakers has been going on for nearly two weeks, but Biden's arrival and active participation in the fight against management — including by blocking the compound — is historic and reflects how important Michigan is in the upcoming election. Michigan was one of the states that Donald Trump surprisingly won in the American Midwest in 2016 that gave him the victory, but "returned" to the bosom of the "blues" in 2020.
"You deserve the pay raise you're entitled to," Biden said on a megaphone, blocking the compound with protesters and wearing a union hat. He urged them to continue the struggle despite fears that the move would hurt the American economy. "Don't let go" and answered "yes" when asked if he agreed they deserved a 40% increase in their salary. "There are no wheels without a deal," they shouted over and over again when Biden arrived. "There is no charge so there are no car parts," they added.
Trump sees Michigan as fertile ground for "stealing" traditional Democratic voters, as he did in 2016, and is expected to arrive in Detroit on Wednesday but will not join their protest because the labor union leadership is not expected to give him a reception as significant as Biden's. However, he is expected to hold a mass campaign event to accuse Biden of worsening the situation of workers because of his economic conduct.
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