Biden Considers Support for Smaller Suppliers after UAW Strike
President Biden is considering offering assistance to smaller suppliers to U.S. auto manufacturers impacted by a strike launched on Friday, September 15, according to multiple media reports. The move would help avoid the predicted multi-billion dollar impact a strike could have on the economy, according to economists.
President Biden largely sided with the Union in remarks last week, stating “The companies have made some significant offers,” Biden said in a speech at the White House. “But I believe they should go further to ensure record corporate profits mean record contracts for the UAW.”
The President also sent Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and top economic aide Gene Sperling to Detroit, despite repeated comments from the UAW leadership that the White House should not intervene. The Biden Administration officials are not in the negotiations.
The announcement comes after the UAW asked the Administration to avoid intervening.
The United Autoworkers have launched partial strikes against the Big 3 automakers, General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. The move comes after the union was unable to reach a new contract with the three manufacturers, as the union pushed for a significant pay increase while the Big 3 see continuing competition from Tesla and foreign automakers operating in states with fewer unions.
ACMA joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other associations in calling on the White House to use the Department of Labor to help reach an agreement, similar to actions taken by the White House in similar labor disputes in the last two years.
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