The Anderson Economic Group, a consulting company located in Lansing, Michigan and serving car manufacturers, reported that the 2019 strike against GM caused a three-month recession in the state, affecting approximately 50,000 employees and lasting six weeks.

State Senator John Cherry, whose district includes Flint, stated that the potential strike is frequently a topic of discussion in the Michigan capital as Democrats strive to pass Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s ambitious agenda.

Cherry stated that the current political discourse among multiple Democrats is not centered around the party’s potential for success in 2024, but rather on finding ways to assist the numerous workers in their respective districts who may soon be facing unemployment. He noted that his district alone is home to numerous large and small automobile production plants and suppliers.

Many people are viewing this in terms of its impact on the national political landscape. However, what truly matters is the effect it has on individuals. If someone cannot earn a sufficient wage to provide for their family, it is understandable why they may not want to work in a factory.

By the year 2032, two-thirds of all new vehicles sold will be accounted for.

According to a senior labor official who was not involved in the discussions, the climate consequences of the negotiations may have a lasting negative impact on President Biden’s aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The official, speaking to POLITICO’s E&E News, stated that if companies do not increase wages for jobs created in the electric vehicle industry, it will send a message to the global community that climate policies do not support middle-class employment opportunities.

He stated that Biden must not approach the negotiations as just a regular labor disagreement, but rather as a critical challenge to the administration’s electric vehicle policies.

The main concern is whether the Biden administration will view this as a serious threat to their reputation or simply as a matter that needs to be resolved between the involved parties. According to an anonymous source, it is crucial for the administration to address these negotiations regarding electric vehicle wages in order to maintain credibility in industrial states.

Although Michigan could face negative effects on its economy, certain Democrats remain unconvinced that a prolonged strike or the union’s disapproval of Biden will negatively impact his chances for reelection in November.

Mark Grebner, a Democratic commissioner in Ingham County, a union stronghold in Michigan that includes the state capitol of Lansing, stated that the UAW’s political power has gradually declined among Michigan Democrats. The UAW used to hold a strong presence in Democratic politics, but with decreasing membership and growing support for Trump among its members, its influence has decreased. The party has also been broadening its reach beyond its traditional base of white working-class voters to include a more diverse range of supporters.

“The union is no longer as significant,” stated Grebner. “They are becoming less aligned with the Democratic party, which has gained support from various groups.”

This report was first published in the Climatewire section of E&E News.

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