UAW won't endorse Biden until its electric vehicle concerns are met: Report

Haisten Willis

May 04, 12:13 PM May 04, 12:13 PM

President Joe Biden will have to do some work to secure an endorsement from one of his closest allies.

The United Auto Workers labor union said it will not back Biden for a second term unless its concerns over electric vehicle subsidies are addressed.

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“The federal government is pouring billions into the electric vehicle transition, with no strings attached and no commitment to workers,” UAW President Shawn Fain said in a message. “The EV transition is at serious risk of becoming a race to the bottom. We want to see national leadership have our back on this before we make any commitments.”

Biden frequently calls himself the most pro-union president in history, but he's also struggling to balance his labor ties with the concerns of foreign leaders. The auto industry is attempting a transition to fully electric vehicles, which includes a heavy dose of government subsidies through legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Washington Examiner reached out to the Biden campaign for comment.

Fain claims he wants a "just transition" for the union's members and says that isn't happening at the moment.

President Joe Biden has worked hard to secure the votes of labor leaders and blue-collar workers in manufacturing-heavy states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, all of which he flipped from then-President Donald Trump in 2020. He frequently visits all three and makes stump speeches about bringing manufacturing back to life.

The union made clear it will not be backing Trump but that it's looking for more support from the incumbent.

The UAW is concerned that the electric vehicle transition could lead to thousands of job losses, according to a letter.

Electric vehicles require less traditional labor and parts than cars with internal combustion engines.