September 07, 2023

President Biden, AFL-CIO President Shuler Mark Labor Day with Rallies in Philadelphia, Detroit

President Biden celebrated both unions and his job creation record during a Labor Day appearance at a rally at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 in Philadelphia Monday. He noted that there are nearly 13,500,000 new jobs in the country since he was sworn in, including 800,000 new manufacturing jobs, and reminded attendees that his administration had saved millions of pensions.

Also on Monday, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler joined thousands of union members at the annual Detroit Labor Day rally. The event was timely, given the September 14 contract deadline between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the Detroit Three automakers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.

“If the shareholders and CEOs are lavishing themselves with the value we create, then it’s our turn for our fair share,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “I want to be very clear on this point: We will accept nothing less than consistent, living wages that grow with the economy.”

“The UAW is fighting for better pensions, increased wages, and an end to tiered compensation between workers with different lengths of service,” added Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “Tiered compensation pays newer employees less. That hurts workplace morale and cripples the union.”