A team dispatched by President Joe Biden to assist in resolving the strike between the United States’ largest autoworkers union and the Big Three auto companies is planning to be in Detroit to provide support during negotiations “early in the week,” according to an administration official.

White House Support for Autoworkers

President Biden appointed White House adviser Gene Sperling and Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su to visit Detroit and help end the walkout initiated by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, which began on Friday. Sperling, who has been handling crucial matters related to the union and the companies involved, has been in coordination with Su.

The official stated, “Both Sperling and Acting Secretary Su are engaging with the parties by phone, as they have been doing for weeks, with the intention of being physically present early in the week.” The administration expressed satisfaction that the parties are continuing to meet as they did before the contract expired.

While the primary goal of Su and Sperling is not to mediate or intervene, their objective is to “help support the negotiations in any way the parties feel is constructive,” added the official.

President Biden’s Stance

President Biden expressed his hope that the UAW and the Big Three auto companies resume negotiations. He acknowledged the workers’ frustrations, stating that despite the automobile companies registering “record profits,” these gains have not been fairly shared with the workers.

He emphasized, “No one wants a strike, but I respect workers’ right to use their options under the collective bargaining system.”

The Challenge for President Biden

The ongoing strike poses a particular challenge for President Biden, who has consistently identified as “the most pro-union president you’ve ever seen.” While the UAW has traditionally supported Democratic candidates like President Biden, former President Donald Trump garnered significant support from blue-collar autoworkers.

UAW President Shawn Fain stated before the strike that it would force Biden and other politicians to take a stance on organized labor.

Strike Details

At midnight on Friday, approximately 13,000 UAW members initiated a strike at a General Motors site in Missouri, a Stellantis center in Ohio, and a Ford assembly plant in Michigan.

If all UAW members were to strike simultaneously, the union would have enough funds to provide about 11 weeks of strike pay.