Harris and Walz Show Support for Organized Labor in Detroit

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are set to play up their support for organized labor during an appearance at a Detroit-area union hall. This event marks the new Democratic ticket’s continued focus on a crucial base of support.

Harris and Walz plan to speak to several dozen United Auto Workers members at Local 900 Hall, which represents Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. Those members were the first Ford workers to strike in 2023 when the union’s contract with the company expired. Workers at the assembly plant went on strike Sept. 15 and remained on the picket lines until Oct. 25, when the union announced a tentative agreement with Ford.

Harris and Walz in Detroit

The AFL-CIO endorsed Harris after having first backed President Joe Biden. The UAW formally backed her last week. Harris and Walz have been highlighting their support for working people during their first joint appearances this week in some of the most closely contested states.

“You got two people up here that were on the picket line of striking UAW members, that’s a place Donald Trump will never be,” said Shawn Fain.

“You know, anyone can be your friend when the sun’s shining, things are going great, but you find out who your friends are when things get tough. And you know…when we look at tough times, we’ve been at tough times, we see who chose to stand with us and who chose to sit on the sideline to do nothing,” he added.

UAW Members on Strike

Harris and Walz’s appearance in Detroit is part of their efforts to gain support from organized labor. The Democratic ticket is focusing on the importance of unions and the need for workers’ rights.

“This is not a time to sit back and hope for the best. This is our generation-defining moment. Everything is at stake,” Fain continued.

Kamala Harris Speaking

The event in Detroit is just one of many stops on the Democratic ticket’s campaign trail. Harris and Walz are working to gain support from voters across the country.

“You know, Donald Trump calls me stupid and you know why? Because he thinks auto workers are stupid, but we’re not stupid. We don’t fall for Trump’s alternative facts, or what we all call lies,” said Shawn Fain.

Tim Walz and Kamala Harris

The Democratic ticket’s focus on organized labor is part of their broader effort to appeal to working-class voters. Harris and Walz are highlighting their support for unions and workers’ rights as they campaign across the country.