Concerns within the United Auto Workers (UAW) union are growing over President Joe Biden’s ability to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. UAW President Shawn Fain convened a meeting with the union’s executive board to discuss these concerns and explore the union’s options. The UAW, a significant ally of Biden and an organization that endorsed him in January, is seen as instrumental in helping him win key swing states like Michigan, where the UAW is based.
Both Biden and Trump have been actively courting voters in Michigan, particularly those employed by American automakers such as Ford Motor, General Motors, and Stellantis, the maker of Jeep. The UAW is considering its next steps and the role it will play in the election.
While Fain and the UAW have publicly voiced their support for Biden, with Fain stating that “Donald Trump stands against everything we stand for as a society,” concerns within the union are growing. The UAW’s executive board meeting comes after Biden met with the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of U.S. trade unions, to secure support among labor unions. Fain attended this meeting, reinforcing the UAW’s commitment to Biden’s campaign.
Biden has actively courted labor leaders and positioned himself as the most pro-union president in U.S. history. He received the UAW’s endorsement after joining a union picket line during a six-week autoworkers strike, which led to significant wage increases for workers at Detroit’s major automakers.
However, Biden’s presidential bid is facing mounting calls for him to step aside following a lackluster debate performance that raised concerns about his mental fitness for office. Over the past two weeks, some Democratic lawmakers, donors, and allies have expressed worry that Biden could lose to Trump. At least 12 Democratic congress members have called on Biden to withdraw his reelection bid, and even actor George Clooney, a prominent Democratic supporter, withdrew his endorsement in a New York Times opinion piece.
The UAW’s concerns reflect broader doubts about Biden’s ability to win the election and defeat Trump. As the election draws nearer, it remains to be seen how these concerns among union members will impact support for Biden and his campaign.
