The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has doubled down on its warning to the working class about the dangers posed by the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance in the 2024 presidential race. The union’s latest statement comes in response to remarks made by Vance, who refused to commit to honoring a $500 million federal grant for an electric vehicle (EV) plant in Michigan—one of the most significant battleground states in the upcoming election.
Both Trump and Vance, a venture capitalist turned U.S. senator from Ohio, are campaigning in Michigan this week. Vance, who often postures as a champion of the working class, sparked controversy when he was “noncommittal” about the promised funding. According to The Detroit News, the $500 million grant would help General Motors (GM) convert its Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant into an EV production facility, creating good-paying jobs and advancing the state’s role in green energy.
The UAW, which has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for the White House, fired back at the Trump-Vance ticket. “Donald Trump was the job-killer-in-chief while in the White House,” the union stated, invoking Trump’s role in pushing forward the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), or what they call “Trump’s NAFTA.”
The UAW has long been critical of the USMCA, claiming that it has led to the outsourcing of jobs. In their statement, the union argued, “Trump’s NAFTA has led to the mass exodus of good, blue-collar jobs from the United States.” They also pointed out the contrast between the policies of the Trump administration and those of the Biden-Harris team: “In sharp contrast, the Biden-Harris administration has bet on the American worker, and thanks to their policies, hundreds of thousands of good manufacturing jobs are returning to the United States.”
The controversy surrounding the EV plant funding could have major consequences for Michigan’s economy, particularly as the state transitions to electric vehicles. The $500 million grant from the Biden administration is part of a larger $1.7 billion federal investment aimed at revamping the U.S. auto industry for a clean energy future.
The stakes are high: not only does the grant promise to secure union jobs, but it also plays a pivotal role in positioning Michigan as a leader in the transition to green energy. Vance’s reluctance to commit to the funding is seen as a direct threat to the state’s future economic stability, particularly in manufacturing.
“Now, Trump and JD Vance are invading Michigan and threatening the $500 million investment the Biden-Harris administration made in the General Motors Grand River Assembly Plant and the union jobs that investment would provide,” the UAW stated, making it clear that they view Trump and Vance as harmful to the future of American labor.
“The bottom line is that Donald Trump and JD Vance are a menace to the working class and are openly threatening to double down on Trump’s legacy of job destruction,” the union declared, highlighting the importance of the grant in securing a future for Michigan workers.
The UAW’s criticism comes on the heels of positive economic news for the Biden administration. On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that in September, federal unemployment hit 4.1%, and the U.S. economy added 254,000 jobs—well above the 100,000 jobs projected by economists. These figures serve as a boost to the Biden-Harris campaign, emphasizing the administration’s focus on job creation and economic growth, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
The UAW argues that the Biden administration’s commitment to renewable energy is crucial to the future of American manufacturing, especially in industries like electric vehicles. By pushing for federal investments in EV plants and green technology, the administration is ensuring that union jobs not only remain in the U.S. but also expand in the years to come.
Shawn Fain, the UAW president who led the major strike against Big Three automakers last year, is set to join Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for a series of campaign events supporting Kamala Harris this weekend. Their stops will include cities like Warren, Grand Rapids, and East Lansing, where they will address key issues such as healthcare, corporate greed, and Michigan’s role in the future of American manufacturing.
The campaign hopes to solidify Harris’s image as a defender of labor rights and a champion for progressive causes. “The American healthcare system, the fight against corporate greed, and shoring up Michigan’s manufacturing future” will be at the forefront of their discussions, as they aim to rally voters behind Harris’s vision for the country’s economic future.
While in Michigan, Harris also made time to meet with leaders of the Arab American community in Detroit and Flint. As reported by Reuters, the meeting included leaders from groups like Emgage, which recently endorsed Harris, and the American Task Force on Lebanon. However, some leaders, such as Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute, declined the invitation, signaling some discontent within the community.
Notably, the meeting did not include leaders from the Uncommitted National Movement, a protest campaign calling for Democrats to reevaluate their policies on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This omission may reflect underlying tensions within the Democratic Party’s voter base, particularly among those who feel that their concerns have not been adequately addressed.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, labor unions like the UAW will play a crucial role in determining the election’s outcome, particularly in key swing states like Michigan. The UAW’s sharp criticism of Trump and Vance reflects broader concerns about the Republican ticket’s impact on the working class and the future of U.S. manufacturing.
With the $500 million EV plant grant in the balance, the UAW has made it clear that they see Trump and Vance as threats to labor’s future. Their endorsement of Kamala Harris, along with ongoing efforts to rally voters, underscores their commitment to preserving union jobs and supporting policies that benefit American workers.
“The bottom line is that Donald Trump and JD Vance are a menace to the working class,” the UAW reiterated, leaving no doubt about where they stand as the nation moves closer to Election Day.
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