United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain recently convened a meeting with the union’s executive board to address his serious reservations about President Joe Biden’s ability to secure victory over Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. This meeting was called in light of Fain’s deep concerns regarding the current state of Biden’s campaign, as reported by sources familiar with the matter.
The nearly 400,000-member strong union is reportedly contemplating its next course of action in response to these concerns. Fain and the UAW, who officially endorsed Biden in January, are viewed as crucial allies of the Biden campaign and are anticipated to play a pivotal role in pivotal swing states such as Michigan, where the UAW is headquartered. Both Biden and Trump have been actively campaigning in Michigan in an attempt to sway voters, particularly those employed by major U.S. automakers like Ford Motor, General Motors, and Stellantis.
Fain, a vocal critic of Trump, has made his stance clear on numerous occasions, including during the UAW’s endorsement of Biden earlier this year. In his announcement, Fain explicitly stated, “Donald Trump stands against everything we stand for as a society.” Fain’s public endorsement of Biden came following Trump’s symbolic solidarity with autoworkers during a significant strike that led to historic wage increases for employees within the Detroit Three car manufacturers. Biden later acknowledged Fain during his State of the Union address, further solidifying their relationship.
During a recent meeting with the executive council of the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of U.S. trade unions, Biden sought to reaffirm his commitment to labor unions and express his gratitude for their support. This meeting was attended by Fain, who has continued to back Biden despite mounting concerns over the president’s debate performance and mental fitness for office. Biden, who has positioned himself as a pro-union leader, has been actively engaging with key labor leaders to bolster his base of support.
However, Biden is currently facing calls from some within his own party to step aside as the Democratic candidate due to doubts regarding his ability to defeat Trump in the upcoming election. The growing unease among Democratic lawmakers, donors, and other allies has led to at least 12 U.S. congress Democrats urging Biden to consider bowing out of the race. Even notable Democratic supporter George Clooney recently withdrew his backing for Biden in an opinion piece in the New York Times, signaling a potential shift in support within the party.
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