The NPR Politics Podcast The Summer Of Labor
Sep 13, 2023
Public support for organized labor is soaring, hitting a 60-year high. The United Auto Workers are gearing up for critical negotiations, advocating for better wages and reforms. Political dynamics are shifting, with Biden's relationship to labor becoming increasingly complex as he navigates varied worker responses. Meanwhile, bold leadership within labor movements is reshaping strategies. Interestingly, even some Republicans are starting to embrace labor-friendly policies, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape.
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UAW Workers' Demands
- Autoworkers want substantial raises, cost of living adjustments, and an end to the two-tier wage system.
- They cite automakers' $250 billion in profits over the last decade as justification for their demands.
Biden's Labor Balancing Act
- President Biden faces a delicate balancing act with labor, supporting unions while occasionally taking actions they dislike.
- He intervened in a rail strike, angering some workers, but backs the PRO Act, which strengthens organizing rights.
UAW's Strategic Non-Endorsement
- The UAW's withholding of Biden's endorsement demonstrates their desire to maintain leverage.
- They aim to influence the White House's stance on negotiations.