Biden Backs Striking Auto Workers, Calls For Fair Share Of Record Profits

President Joe Biden threw his support behind striking US auto workers on Friday, asserting that they deserved a more equitable portion of the remarkable profits generated by the "Big Three" automakers. In a televised address from the White House, President Biden highlighted the unprecedented profitability of the automotive industry, stating, "Auto companies have seen record profits… Those record profits have not been shared fairly, in my view, with those workers." He went on to stress the importance of a labor contract that would "sustain (workers) in the middle class." President Biden's remarks come in the midst of strikes that have the potential to impact his re-election prospects in 2024. His longstanding advocacy for unions and commitment to revitalizing US manufacturing have been central elements of his political platform. The strike emerged following a failed eleventh-hour attempt by General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis to reach an agreement before the Thursday deadline. In response, President Biden stated that he had been in communication with both sides and would dispatch two administration officials to join the negotiations. While he expressed his preference for avoiding a strike, he underscored the unions' right to engage in such actions. When questioned about the possibility of his direct involvement in the negotiations, President Biden did not provide a definitive answer. The outcome of these labor negotiations holds significance not only for the auto industry but also for the broader political landscape, as it tests the President's commitment to labor rights and workers' welfare.