UAW doesn’t back Biden’s reelection due to his EV policies.

UAW Delays Endorsement of Biden’s Reelection Campaign

Concerns Over Biden Administration’s EV Policies

The United Auto Workers (UAW) is delaying its endorsement of President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, according to a memo released on May 2. The Detroit-based union is holding back due to concerns over recent Biden administration policies that encourage the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

UAW, which supported Biden in 2020, has not yet endorsed the president due to the administration’s efforts involving climate change, such as encouraging the production of EVs. UAW President Shawn Fain stated in an employee memo (pdf), “Several national unions were quick to endorse [Biden], but the United Auto Workers is not yet making an endorsement.”

The UAW announcement came after a meeting between UAW leadership, members of the Biden administration, and several members of Congress. During the meeting, UAW representatives expressed concern about the possible impact of transitioning to electric vehicles.

“The federal government is pouring billions into the electric vehicle transition, with no strings attached and no commitment to workers,” Fain said. “The EV transition is at serious risk of becoming a race to the bottom. We want to see national leadership have our back on this before we make any commitments.”

The union president emphasized the need for any EV shift to be a “just transition,” where the workers who make the auto industry run aren’t left behind. Some of the policies involving EVs include their toughest-ever car emissions rule that is set up to force a surge in EV purchases.

What UAW Wants to See

UAW wants to see national leadership commit to a “just transition” for workers as the auto industry shifts to EVs. Here are some of the things they are looking for:

• Commitment to workers who may be impacted by the shift to EVs
• Investment in retraining programs for workers
• Support for the development of EV infrastructure
• Protection of workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain

UAW is not alone in its concerns over the transition to EVs. Many workers in the auto industry are worried about the impact that this shift will have on their jobs and their communities. As the Biden administration continues to push for the adoption of EVs, it will be important to address these concerns and ensure that workers are not left behind.

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