President Biden announced last week that acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and senior adviser Gene Sperling would head to Detroit to offer support as the United Auto Workers and the “Big Three” auto companies broker a deal.
But that’s no longer the plan: The administration will continue to monitor talks between the two sides from the nation’s capital, a White House official confirmed on Tuesday.
“Given that negotiations are ongoing between the negotiating parties, it is most productive for Sperling and Su to continue their discussions from Washington and allow talks to move forward,” a White House official said in a statement.
“The President stands with UAW workers, and believes that record corporate profits must mean record contracts for the UAW,” the official added.
UAW auto workers launched a targeted strike last week after the union failed to reach a deal with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis.
The union’s demands include increased pay and benefits, as well as job security guarantees as auto companies transition toward manufacturing electric vehicles.
While Biden has touted himself as the most pro-union president in history, he has also upped incentives for electric vehicles as part of his climate agenda.
The Hill’s Brett Samuels has more here.
