U.S. President Joe Biden has canceled his planned speech at a major U.S. teacher’s union event this Sunday, following the announcement of a strike by the union’s staff, the White House confirmed.
The staff of the National Education Association (NEA) intends to strike this Friday, calling for supporters to rally on the picket lines at the NEA’s convention in Philadelphia during the weekend.
A statement from Biden’s campaign highlighted his solidarity with unions: “President Biden is a fierce supporter of unions and he won’t cross a picket line.
The president is still planning to travel to Pennsylvania this weekend, and we will have more details to share at a later point.”
Despite the change in plans, the President remains scheduled to visit Pennsylvania, though specifics will be released later.
The NEA has been embroiled in labor disputes, filing two complaints with the National Labor Relations Board regarding unpaid overtime and unaddressed information requests.
Amidst these tensions, misinformation about the contract negotiations has circulated, though the NEA reaffirms its commitment to a fair bargaining process.
An NEA spokesperson stated, “NEA’s goal is to craft collective bargaining agreements with our staff unions that balance the interests of our members, affiliates, and staff while reflecting our mutual commitment to students, union values and racial and social justice.”
Biden, who is recognized as a staunch union advocate and refers to himself as the “most pro-union president in history,” has actively supported various pro-labor initiatives since his tenure began in 2021.
This includes signing legislation to safeguard union pensions.
The President’s union-friendly stance is underscored by his visit to a United Auto Workers (UAW) picket line in Michigan last September, marking a historic moment as he supported the union’s demands for substantial wage increases.
Biden’s close ties to the union are also personal, with his wife, Jill Biden, being a teacher and a member of the NEA.
His commitment to labor rights is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming November 5 U.S. presidential election, where he and his Republican rival, Donald Trump, vie for the support of unionized workers in key battleground states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
The NEA, boasting 3 million members, has supported Biden in both his 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns.