Popular Articles
Today Week Month Year


Biden’s EV program is alienating allies in the United Auto Workers, who fear the push will lead to fewer well-paying union jobs
By Arsenio Toledo // Jul 12, 2023

President Joe Biden's sweeping electric vehicle (EV) program is alienating one of his formerly staunchest union allies: the United Auto Workers (UAW).

The UAW, a massive and powerful union representing more than 400,000 workers in the automobile industry, has long been an influential force in progressive politics, aiding pro-labor union Democrats in the Midwest with their organizing and fundraising power.

For his part, Biden has touted his aggressive push toward replacing more and more internal combustion-engine vehicles in America's roads with their electric counterparts as part of a major reinvestment in American manufacturing. But UAW leadership isn't buying any of the president's claims.

UAW President Shawn Fain, along with union members in Lordstown, Ohio, recently sounded the alarm over severe cuts to auto workers' wages that they believe were caused by Biden's push to get automakers to invest more in EVs with federal subsidies. (Related: EV COLLAPSE: Electric vehicle manufacturer Lordstown Motors files for bankruptcy.)

"There have been clear winners and losers and the same people who've always won, the corporate elite and the billionaire class, seem to think they can keep calling the shots," said Fain.

The UAW president noted that major automakers, including the "Big Three" of Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, have so far received tens of billions of dollars in government subsidies to support their transition to manufacturing more and more EVs.

"But those benefits aren't trickling down to UAW members," warned Fain in a statement highlighting how the Big Three continue to shut down factories and cut jobs despite receiving billions in government handouts and making billions in profits.

"Why is Joe Biden's administration facilitating this corporate greed with taxpayer money?" asked Fain, who struck a fiery tone when he called out the White House for "actively funding the race to the bottom with billions in public money."

EV push could harm Biden's re-election bid

So far, the UAW is withholding an endorsement for Biden's 2024 campaign, after backing him in 2020. In a memo written to members, Fain wrote that he wants to see Biden commit to "have our backs on this" before the UAW even begins thinking about campaigning for Biden.

Fain's job as the UAW president is to protect its members, most of whom have been working building gas- and diesel-powered vehicles that are now gradually being phased out in favor of EVs. He is concerned that the new EV factories won't employ as many people as traditional assembly plants.

Furthermore, Fain and other union leaders have expressed their concern that the new jobs in EV plants will end up providing union members with significantly lower wages and without protective collective bargaining agreements.

The UAW pointed to General Motors' new Ultium Cells plant in Ohio as an example. Established in partnership with Korean conglomerate LG, the plant promised to bring high-paying, green-energy jobs.

But former Lordstown workers who made upwards of $30 an hour before the factory's closure ended up only making $16.50 an hour at the new Ultium Cells plant, effectively cutting auto wages in half and only providing employees the possibility of an increase up to $20 an hour after seven years of hard work.

Fain's attacks against Biden's EV incentives for Big Auto come just days before former President Donald Trump descended on Michigan and echoed Fain's criticisms, noting that the transition to EVs would lead to a "decimation" of the state's auto industry.

"It's going to be a level that people can't even imagine," said Trump.

According to an internal UAW poll, about one in three union members voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. With Biden's relentless push for EVs disregarding the concerns of auto workers, it is very likely that percentage is going to massively increase.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the White House claimed that Biden and the UAW are "working toward the same goal" of making sure America's auto industry survives to provide workers with "good-paying, union jobs."

"America's auto workers are essential to achieving that goal," said the spokesperson. "The most 'pro-labor president ever' is more than a slogan. It's a critical part of the president's effort to rebuild the middle class and empower workers as he ushers in this new American manufacturing boom."

Learn more about the electric vehicle push at FlyingCars.news.

Watch this clip from the Next News Network reporting on how several attorneys general are fighting back against Biden's electric vehicle regulations.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Car companies are expanding into the lithium mining business to secure their supplies for EV manufacturing.

Pew poll finds 59% of Americans OPPOSE Biden admin's plan to phaseout gas-powered cars in favor of EVs.

Ford to lay off 1,000 employees as focus on EVs costs the company BILLIONS.

House Republicans say NO to Biden's electric vehicle tyranny, call it an "ill-considered effort."

Analysts: Biden green energy agenda could cost $1.2T.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

Axios.com

Twitter.com

Brighteon.com



Take Action:
Support NewsTarget by linking to this article from your website.
Permalink to this article:
Copy
Embed article link:
Copy
Reprinting this article:
Non-commercial use is permitted with credit to NewsTarget.com (including a clickable link).
Please contact us for more information.
Free Email Alerts
Get independent news alerts on natural cures, food lab tests, cannabis medicine, science, robotics, drones, privacy and more.

NewsTarget.com © 2022 All Rights Reserved. All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. NewsTarget.com is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. NewsTarget.com assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published on this site. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.

This site uses cookies
News Target uses cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy.
Learn More
Close
Get 100% real, uncensored news delivered straight to your inbox
You can unsubscribe at any time. Your email privacy is completely protected.