In a surprising move, President Biden has announced that he will join members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union on the picket line next week in Detroit. The president took to Twitter on Friday to share his plans, stating, "Tuesday, I'll go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create." Biden's decision to join the picket line comes after UAW President Shawn Fain extended an invitation to the commander in chief to support the striking workers.

Fain, during a livestreamed address on Friday, encouraged everyone who supports their cause to join them on the picket line, including the president of the United States. He stated, "We invite you to join us in our fight." The UAW, which had withheld its endorsement of Biden due to concerns about his support for electric vehicles, also revealed that it would be expanding its strike to include 38 Stellantis and General Motors facilities across 28 states. However, the union has made progress in negotiations with Ford and will not ask employees of the company to participate in the strike at this time.

President Biden's visit to Michigan is scheduled to take place one day before former President Donald Trump's planned rally in Detroit. Trump, who is considered the front-runner for the 2024 GOP presidential primary, will be hosting a rally featuring 500 autoworkers and other tradesmen. This visit by Trump coincides with the second GOP primary debate in Simi Valley, California, which he will not be attending. Jason Miller, a Trump campaign adviser, took to Twitter to criticize Biden's trip, calling it a "cheap photo op" and accusing him of trying to compete with Trump's event.

Michael LaRosa, a former Biden White House adviser, expressed concern about the president's visit, noting that these types of performances often come across as "awkward, overrehearsed, & phony." He emphasized that powerful performances should happen organically and naturally.

The strike itself began last Friday when the UAW members working for Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis went on strike, demanding a 46% pay raise, a 32-hour work week, and benefits for office workers. The additional strikes announced on Friday will add approximately 5,600 workers to the picket line. President Biden, who prides himself on being a pro-union president, has previously mentioned that the companies involved have made "significant offers" but believes that they need to do more to ensure that record corporate profits translate into record contracts.

The UAW workers are advocating for a four-day, 32-hour work week with the pay of a five-day, 40-hour week, along with substantial pay raises. They are also demanding more paid time off and pension benefits instead of 401K savings plans, among other requests. The union's decision to expand the strike to include 38 General Motors and Stellantis parts distribution centers across 20 states highlights the determination of the workers to fight for their demands.

President Biden's decision to physically join the picket line sends a strong message of support for the UAW and highlights his commitment to workers' rights. This move is highly unusual for a sitting president, further emphasizing Biden's pro-union stance. As the strike continues and negotiations unfold, it remains to be seen how the demands of the UAW will be met and how the actions of both President Biden and former President Trump will shape the outcome of this labor dispute.