UAW chief slams GOP talking points, but still no Biden endorsement

The head of the United Auto Workers (UAW) on Monday slammed Republican talking points on gender and immigration as the union weighs whether to support President Biden.

At a conference Monday in Washington, D.C., UAW President Sean Fein called out efforts he said were trying to “divide” the working class over issues such as gender, sexuality and border security, without mentioning the party's name. He criticized the Republican Party without mentioning its main problems.

“They're trying to divide us by gender,” Fain said at the union's national CAP conference. “They act as if your way of life or your gender identity is a threat to the person on the assembly line next to you or in the workshop next to you.”

“They talk about who you love, who you marry, which bathroom you use, so you don't have to talk about who you work for, where the profits go and who benefits.” he continued.

Mr. Fein also condemned efforts by immigrants to “divide us nationally and by nationality.” His comments come as Republicans ramp up pressure on Biden to take steps to stem the flow of migrants at the southern border, which Republicans often refer to as a “crisis.”

“Millions of people are now being told that the greatest threat to their livelihoods is migrants coming across our borders,” the UAW chief said. “The threat we face at the border isn't from immigrants. It's because billionaires and politicians are forcing workers to blame each other.”

“This is going to be personal for me,” he added. “Every time you see some shitty show on TV about border security and it's a major issue in this election. It's not. It's a joke. It's just something that's done to divide people. ”

Fein took aim at several Republican talking points, but gave no indication of the UAW's support for Biden. The union endorsed then-presidential candidate in 2020, but has not yet endorsed Biden this time.

However, the UAW is reportedly expected to consider supporting the president at a meeting this week. washington post.

Biden has touted his record as “the most pro-union president in American history,” but he became the first sitting president to join a picket line when he spoke to striking UAW members in Michigan in September. It became.

The union launched strikes against three major automakers, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, after their contracts expired in mid-September. After a six-week strike, the UAW reached agreements with all three major U.S. auto companies in late October.