On September 15, the United Auto Workers began a targeted strike against Ford, GM, and Stellantis (the conglomerate that includes Chrysler) in an effort to secure higher wages, a four-day work week, and other protections in the union’s next contract. The strike is a huge development for American workers, but it’s also a big deal for President Joe Biden—these car companies are central to his green-infrastructure agenda. The union wants assurances that the industry’s historic, heavily subsidized transition toward electric vehicles will work for them, too.

Biden, whose National Labor Relations Board has been an ally of labor organizers in fights against companies such as Amazon and Starbucks, has called himself “the most pro-union president in American history.” He has expressed support for the UAW’s cause (workers “deserve their fair share of the benefits they helped create,” he said last week) and has sent aides to Michigan to assist in the negotiations.

  • Ech@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    Pointing out past actions isn’t even close to “whataboutism”.

      • Ech@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        You mean quietly getting them less than what they were fighting for after publicly undercutting their efforts against the companies?

        Also, still not “whataboutism”. It’s literally pointing out what the same person did in the past regarding the same issue. Historical context is important and necessary to consider.

        • UrPartnerInCrime@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          Whataboutism is literally bringing up other situations to either undercut or overlook a situation that happened. Biden is literally taking steps to further Union support, and people are saying “yeah well what about this time he wasn’t perfect”

          Idk dawg, seems like text book whataboutism to me

          • Hello Hotel@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Biden is literally taking steps to further Union support

            I dont dought he is, even if biden had a heart of gold (i dont really know) he is still bound by other forces that compete with compassion. These competing forces could be:

            • hostility to workers disrupting power structures
            • need for this to be low profile to protect his career
            • need for this to look and feel resolved so nothing goes any further

            Biden can and will fight for workers to shut up. the above make sense as motivations. Biden will get you as much as you will accept in sick time. The reason for him to fight is to make you feel like you got enough. The above and mabe kindness makes sense as a motivation for why.

            • UrPartnerInCrime@sh.itjust.works
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              1 year ago

              Biden would be fighting more if Republicans weren’t literally trying to block his path every step of the way. Idgaf what you think you know, but Dark Brandon kicks ass and takes names. He’s working for the people. He may not be perfect, but who the fuck is.

          • Ech@lemm.ee
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            1 year ago

            Framing it as people whining about him “not being perfect” is utterly offbase. They are bringing up a pertinent act of his in a discussion about his position and standing regarding that very issue. If a person donated a lot of money to a charity, lets say animal shelters, but was also known to run a puppy mill, you would call it “whataboutism” to bring that up when people are excessively praising them for a one off donation?

            Biden is literally taking steps to further Union support

            He’s going for a photo op. If he starts advocating on behalf of workers rights and taking actual, meaningful action to facilitate change, then we can start being charitable with his past.