Biden says workers need 'a fair shot' as he celebrates the labor deal saving an Illinois auto plant
President Joe Biden has gone to Belvidere, Illinois, to celebrated a labor deal that will prevent a Stellantis plant in the city from closing
BELVIDERE, Ill. — President Joe Biden put on a red United Auto Workers shirt on Thursday as he celebrated a labor deal that will prevent Belvidere's Stellantis plant from closing, treating the factory's salvation as a vindication of his decision to stand with striking union members as they demanded higher wages.
“American workers are ready to work harder than anyone else," Biden told cheering autoworkers in a community center in the northern Illinois city. «But they just need to be given a shot. A fair shot and a fair wage.”
He praised the union members as “as tough, tough, tough as they come.” Someone in the audience shouted to the president, “That shirt looks good on you.”
“I've worn this shirt a lot, man,” Biden responded. “You have no idea. I've been involved with the UAW longer than you've been alive.” The crowd roared with laughter.
Biden visited a UAW picket line in Michigan in September to support the union during its targeted strikes against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, the maker of Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles. The strikes have ended and contracts are still being finalized.
“He came out and stood with the picketers,” said Matt Franzen, the local UAW president who introduced Biden. „He's always been for us, with us. He proved that.“
Biden reminded the audience that Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, visited a nonunion facility on his own trip to Michigan.
“I hope you guys have a memory,” Biden said. „Where I come from, it matters.”
Biden's reelection campaign on Thursday released a video that criticizes Trump's
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