Biden To Travel To Illinois Tomorrow, Meet UAW Autoworkers, Deliver Remarks

The White House has confirmed that President Biden will travel to Belvidere, Illinois tomorrow to meet with United Auto Workers Union President Shawn Fain and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Biden will also deliver remarks on the recent contract agreement between UAW and auto manufactures.

• The UAW agreement is widely seen as a political win for Biden, whose presence at a picket line - the first ever for a sitting President - was considered a major political risk at the time. The union vote in mid-west manufacturing states like Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin is seen as crucial to Biden's re-election prospects.
• Reuters reports: "Fain, unlike most labor leaders, has yet to endorse Biden for reelection but has praised White House involvement in the labor talks and Biden's visit to a UAW picket line in Michigan."
• Biden's decision to publicly endorse striking UAW workers also throws up a potential political conflict with the Biden administration's push to transition the auto industry towards electric vehicles - a key concern for UAW workers.
• Politico reports: "Union officials say it was the striking workers, not the president, who were ultimately responsible for those record contracts. But several also credit [Biden with helping] secure a deal."