Features
USW, UAW thank Biden for leadership following election exit
Written by Ethan Bernard
July 22, 2024
The United Auto Workers (UAW) and United Steelworkers (USW) unions have thanked President Biden for his service following his announcement that he is no longer seeking re-election.
Separately, the USW has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
On Sunday, Biden announced via a statement on X: “And while it may have been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.”
In another statement on X, he said: “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for (Vice President) Kamala Harris to be the nominee of our party this year.”
Harris has announced her intention to run and has been endorsed by many high-ranking Democrats. Events are still unfolding as the Democrats approach their convention in Chicago on Aug. 19-22. However, the two unions, which had both endorsed Biden, took the opportunity to show their appreciation for him.
USW lauds Biden, endorses Harris
USW President David McCall expressed his gratitude to Biden.
“We are deeply grateful to President Joe Biden for his lifetime of service and especially for the past three and a half years as he navigated our nation out of a deadly pandemic and put us on a path to widespread, shared prosperity,” he said in a statement also on Sunday.
McCall noted that Biden’s commitment to workers “has never faltered.”
“He promised that he would spearhead transformational infrastructure investments, develop a much-needed industrial policy, safeguard retirement security, strengthen workers’ access to collective bargaining, secure our broken supply chains and build healthier communities,” McCall said.
In a separate statement on Monday, the USW endorsed Vice President Harris for president.
McCall said Harris has been “a crucial part of the most pro-labor administration of our lifetimes, backing innumerable initiatives to help advance the interests of working families.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with her, and we are proud to give her our endorsement,” he added.
UAW
Likewise, the UAW thanked President Joe Biden for his service and leadership.
“Joe Biden made history by joining us on our picket line last September and has stood shoulder to shoulder with the working class throughout his term in office,” the union said in a statement also on Sunday.
The UAW’s “Stand Up” strike against the Detroit-three automakers started in September. Contracts with the automakers were ratified by UAW workers in November.
The union was unequivocal in its desire to defeat former president, and current Republican nominee, Donald Trump.
“We will speak truth to power about the issues that matter to the working class: a living wage, decent healthcare, a dignified retirement, and taking our lives and our time back,” UAW said.
Ethan Bernard
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