President Biden has closely followed the political dynamics of electric vehicles . He helped develop a multi-billion-dollar subsidy program to create new manufacturing jobs and courted the United Auto Workers (UAW). However, as the union and the three major automakers GM Labor negotiations at GM, Stellantis, and Ford are approaching the deadline for a potential strike on the evening of the 14th , and the political challenges posed by the auto manufacturing industry’s shift to electric vehicles may have just begun.
President Biden has always touted himself as the most pro-union president, and a strike would test him. (Reuters)
President Biden has always touted himself as the most pro-union president, and a strike would test him. (Reuters)
The possibility of a strike would test Biden, who has always regarded himself as the most pro-union president, and could reshape the political situation in the battleground state of Michigan and impact the national economy.
The UAW wants workers who make electric vehicle parts such as batteries to enjoy higher wages and labor standards. The Detroit automaker counters that these workers are often employed in joint ventures with foreign manufacturers, and these companies are not completely controlled by U.S. automakers. The automakers say even if they can Raising wages for battery manufacturing workers may make it difficult for automakers to compete with non-union competitors such as Tesla.
On the other side, former President Trump is competing against Biden. He used the topic to claim that Biden’s clean energy policies will sacrifice American jobs and lead to higher prices.
White House officials said Biden will still fulfill his promise to promote excellent job opportunities and the domestic electric vehicle industry.
Gene Sperling, the White House coordinator for the UAW and the auto industry, said: “The president’s policy has been to ensure that the future of electric vehicles is not only made in the United States, but also to promote good unionization for auto workers whose jobs are currently threatened, and A just transition.”
So far, however, Biden has spoken only vaguely about wages, at least publicly. Last month he said the transition to electric vehicles should allow workers to receive generous wages and benefits to support their families, but when unions When jobs are replaced by new ones, union members should be paid commensurate wages. White House economic adviser Jared Bernstein revealed on the 13th that Biden encourages automakers to continue negotiations and reach an agreement with unions.
A strike could prompt Biden to make a clearer choice between his commitment to workers and compromise to avoid a lengthy strike.
At the center of the debate is whether the transition to electric vehicles, which have fewer parts and require less labor to assemble than gasoline-powered vehicles, will hasten the decline of union jobs in the auto industry.
