Biden and Harris Celebrate Labor Day with Union Tribute in Pittsburgh, Oppose Nippon Steel Deal
Pittsburgh, PA—On Monday, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made their first joint appearance on the presidential campaign trail following the Democratic National Convention. They celebrated Labor Day in Pittsburgh with strong support for union workers.
“We are so proud to be the most pro-union administration in American history,” Harris declared. “I love Labor Day. I love celebrating Labor Day, and Pittsburgh is the cradle of the American labor movement.”
Pro-Union Administration
Speeches underscored the administration’s dedication to organized labor. Harris, in particular, aimed at Nippon Steel’s pending acquisition of U.S. Steel, emphasizing that the iconic Pennsylvania company should remain under American ownership.
“U.S. Steel is a historic American company, and our nation needs to maintain strong American steel companies. And I couldn’t agree more with President Biden: U.S. Steel should remain American-owned and American-operated,” Harris asserted.
The United Steelworkers union, representing approximately 10,000 U.S. Steel employees, has opposed the $14.9 billion deal, citing concerns over Nippon Steel’s alleged union rights violations. The union and the companies are currently engaged in arbitration talks.
Support for Labor Reforms
Harris also renewed her support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, a nationwide legislative package to bolster union organizing efforts.
Kenny Cooper, president of the IBEW union, handled the event’s introduction and praised Harris’s decisive role in passing significant labor-related legislation. Notably, he highlighted her tie-breaking vote for the Butch Lewis Act, which safeguarded the benefits of two million union members.
Biden’s Accomplishments in Pennsylvania
President Biden, while perhaps less crisp in delivery than Harris, detailed his administration’s accomplishments in Pennsylvania, ranging from investments in clean energy to infrastructure. He emphasized the administration’s commitment to labor rights, highlighting the requirement for project labor agreements that mandate the use of American products.
“Wall Street didn’t build America,” Biden proclaimed. “The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class.”
Union Leadership and Trump Opposition
The presence of both Biden and Harris at the event signals their collaborative approach as the election campaign intensifies. Biden lauded Harris for her resilience and moral integrity, describing her as having “the backbone of a ramrod and the moral compass of a saint.”
Earlier in the day, Harris also met with labor leaders in Detroit, reiterating the importance of union organizing in securing fundamental worker benefits like the five-day workweek, sick leave, and vacation time.
President Biden, known for being the first sitting president to walk a union picket line, strongly supported the United Auto Workers during their 2023 dispute with major car manufacturers. “You guys – the UAW – you saved the automobile industry back in 2008 and before,” Biden shouted through a bullhorn on the Michigan picket line. “You made a lot of sacrifices, gave up a lot. The companies were in trouble. Now they are doing incredibly well and guess what? You should be doing incredibly well too.”
Trump’s Stance on Labor
On the other side of the political aisle, Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has opposed the Nippon Steel deal, promising to block it if elected. However, Trump’s labor stance has been inconsistent. While he has made overtures to labor voters, his support of policies like Project 2025, which could weaken union protections, has drawn criticism.
Trump’s recent comments about labor relations, particularly his praise for firing striking workers, have sparked backlash from union leaders. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, initially a surprising speaker at the Republican National Convention, walked back his support for Trump, labeling such rhetoric as “economic terrorism.”
As the campaign season heats, Biden and Harris’s joint appearance in Pittsburgh underscores their strategy to mobilize union support, a crucial factor in their bid to win re-election.