US President Joe Biden joined striking members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union in Michigan on Tuesday, which made him the first sitting US president to join the picket line.
“I’ve marched a lot of UAW picket lines when I was a senator, since 1973, but I’ll tell you what, this is the first time I’ve ever done it as the president.”
Workers at the three US auto manufacturing giants (GM, Ford, Stellantis) went on strike on 15 September. More than 18,000 employees walked off the job, demanding higher wages, cost-of-living adjustments and better pension benefits.
You deserve what you’ve earned, and you’ve earned a hell of a lot more than you’re getting paid.
The union do not officially endorse Biden during his visit, even though the UAW has always supported Democrats, including Biden in 2020.
“We know the president will do right by the working-class. And when we do right by the working class, you can leave the rest to us because we’re going to take care of this business.”
Ex-President Donald Trump, the leading Republican candidate in the 2024 election, has announced that he is also visiting Michigan on Wednesday.
Both Biden and Trump are trying to drum up voter support in Michigan, which is considered a crucial swing state in the upcoming presidential election.
