Last night, President Joe Biden—the most pro-union president in our lifetime—laid out a clear plan to keep fighting for working people against Donald Trump and MAGA extremists who are looking out only for the rich and big corporations.
The speech made the case for what we’ve accomplished under Biden’s leadership, including adding nearly 15 million jobs, sustaining record-low unemployment rates and delivering historic investments in America’s infrastructure. The president also detailed the work we still have to do, including his plan for an American industrial renaissance that will continue adding good union jobs and change the trajectory of American families and communities.
The president and first lady’s guest list last night underlined their commitment to working people. Included were:
- International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) President Shawn Fain, celebrating the UAW’s monumental victory at the bargaining table, the strength and solidarity of the labor movement, and President Biden’s historic trip to the picket line
- Samantha Irvin-Upsher, an apprentice with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) Local 432 in Pittsburgh, highlighting the career pathways through high schools, community colleges and unions to job opportunities fueled by President Biden’s investments
- Keenan Jones, a public middle school educator in Minnesota’s Twin Cities and a member of Education Minnesota who is one of the 800,000 teachers, nurses, social workers, service members and other public servants who have received student loan debt forgiveness since the start of the Biden-Harris administration
- Rashawn Spivey, founder and owner of Hero Plumbing in Milwaukee, whose apprenticeship with United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) Local 75 helped him start a business that has been spurred by Biden-Harris administration investments to replace more than 825 toxic lead pipes in his community
Trump’s four years in office proved that he’s committed only to helping the wealthy and the well connected, especially himself. In stark contrast to Trump, President Biden’s proposals are centered on making life better for everyone and finally giving working people a fair shot at sharing in the profits we earn.
In Biden’s America, all workers—no matter our race, religion, orientations or background—have the freedom to fully pursue our hopes and aspirations. Hotel workers, teachers, retail workers, nurses, athletes, construction workers—when we stand together, we win.
In solidarity,
Team AFL-CIO