The United Auto Workers is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president, giving her union firepower for the likely contest this November against Republican Donald Trump.
I think it’s clear that Harris is a better labor pick tha Trump but I think it’s stragically a mistake to do this before the convention and give up the leverage to force a better party platform. There may be things happening behind the scenes but Democrats have a long history of being underwhelming on labor issues (obviously they’re still better than the GOP though).
Biden went down to the UAW picket line and addressed them personally. I don’t think it’s really all that surprising that they backed his personally chosen replacement.
Not entirely correct. They did force the railroad workers back to work yes, but, Biden continued to work with them after the fact and got them the sick days and shit they were looking for
Biden continued to work with them after the fact and got them the sick days and shit they were looking for
Nope. He only got them sick day(s). They wanted other things, mainly safety features so trains don’t crash as often. The sick days part was the most emphasized because it’s easier for laymen to understand, but Biden did not give them what they wanted.
I’m not certain what exactly they were originally looking for but my point is more that trying to paint Biden as some anti union traitor is plain not factual.
This was during a time when the US was finally getting back on its feet and “supply chain” excuses were starting to fade away…he did everything he could to prevent those shutdowns from crippling us again.
As good as strategic endorsements are, its probably not feasible given union’s structure in the us. I’m not a UAW member, so I may be misinformed on specifics, but these things are usually done as a vote at a union convention, by union members who are volunteering to be a voting delegate on top of their normal job.
Scheduling an emergency meeting to decide on endorsements pending a commitment from a candidate is not something you can reasonably do, especially when the voting membership are volunteers. Unions are democratic organizations, and can’t act quickly enough for strategic endorsements like you propose.
Democrats in the white house means better members on the national labor relations board. That alone is enough to justify an endorsement even without any legislative concessions.
I think it’s clear that Harris is a better labor pick tha Trump but I think it’s stragically a mistake to do this before the convention and give up the leverage to force a better party platform. There may be things happening behind the scenes but Democrats have a long history of being underwhelming on labor issues (obviously they’re still better than the GOP though).
Biden went down to the UAW picket line and addressed them personally. I don’t think it’s really all that surprising that they backed his personally chosen replacement.
Biden also effectively sided with industry and against the labor unions in the 2022 railroad labor dispute. He’s not exactly squeaky clean here.
Not entirely correct. They did force the railroad workers back to work yes, but, Biden continued to work with them after the fact and got them the sick days and shit they were looking for
Sick day. One. They were asking for fifteen.Incorrect.
4 + 3 convertible was the followup, the one day plus 14% pay increase and a further 24% guaranteed over 5 years was the early resolution.
Oh good to know! Thanks for info.
I just I want to thank you for helping correct that stupid piece of misinformation they get spread so much on here.
Nope. He only got them sick day(s). They wanted other things, mainly safety features so trains don’t crash as often. The sick days part was the most emphasized because it’s easier for laymen to understand, but Biden did not give them what they wanted.
I’m not certain what exactly they were originally looking for but my point is more that trying to paint Biden as some anti union traitor is plain not factual.
So he didn’t get them the 14% raise with another 24% over the next 5 years? Did I dream that?
Okay, but we’re talking about the UAW. He did them a solid, they’re doing one in return.
This was during a time when the US was finally getting back on its feet and “supply chain” excuses were starting to fade away…he did everything he could to prevent those shutdowns from crippling us again.
As good as strategic endorsements are, its probably not feasible given union’s structure in the us. I’m not a UAW member, so I may be misinformed on specifics, but these things are usually done as a vote at a union convention, by union members who are volunteering to be a voting delegate on top of their normal job.
Scheduling an emergency meeting to decide on endorsements pending a commitment from a candidate is not something you can reasonably do, especially when the voting membership are volunteers. Unions are democratic organizations, and can’t act quickly enough for strategic endorsements like you propose.
Democrats in the white house means better members on the national labor relations board. That alone is enough to justify an endorsement even without any legislative concessions.