Skip to main content
Bridge Michigan
Michigan’s nonpartisan, nonprofit news source

Joe Biden in Michigan signs order prioritizing grants for high-wage projects

President Joe Biden arrives at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, after traveling for the day to Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
  • In visit to Ann Arbor, President Joe Biden signs executive order on federal grants
  • Order prioritizes projects with labor agreements, wage standards and benefits
  • Visit comes as Kamala Harris, Donald Trump court union voters in Michigan and other swing states

ANN ARBOR — President Joe Biden on Friday signed an executive order for federal grants that will prioritize projects with labor agreements, wage standards, and benefits such as access to child care and apprenticeship programs.

Biden said the ideas in his order “are common sense."

“Economists have long believed that these good job standards produce more opportunities, better outcomes for workers and more predictable outcomes for businesses as well," he said from an Ann Arbor, Michigan union training center where he made the announcement. “A good union job is building a future worthy of your dreams.”

Sponsor

The Biden administration is trying to make the case that economic growth should flow out of better conditions for workers. His administration has stressed the vital role that organized labor will likely play for Democrats in November’s election. In her matchup against Republican Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris is depending on backing from the AFL-CIO and other unions to help turn out voters in key states.

Biden has prided himself on his support of labor unions, joining striking Michigan union workers on the picket line last year. On Friday, he came on stage to chants of “Thank you, Joe!"

Related:

Trump has tried to make inroads with organized labor as well by having Teamsters President Sean O'Brien speak at the Republican National Convention. The Teamsters have yet to formally endorse any candidate, though Harris is expected to meet with them.

Biden said that under his administration "we buy American. And we’re making sure federal projects are made in America projects.”

The order will establish a task force to coordinate policy development with the goal of ensuring more benefits for workers. The administration's funding for infrastructure, computer chip manufacturing and the development of renewable energy sources has led to a wave of projects.

Bridge Elections FAQ graphic

Do you have a question about the 2024 election? 

Join our next Bridge Elections FAQ where Bridge reporters answer reader questions about the upcoming election on Monday at 1 p.m. Register for the next FAQ here.

By the administration's count, its incentives have prompted $900 billion worth of private-sector investments in renewable energy and manufacturing. Those commitments have yet to resonate much with voters who are more focused on the lingering damage caused by inflation spiking in 2022, but many projects will take several years to come to fruition.

“A good job is a job with security and benefits, where workers have the right to join a union, advocate for better working conditions, come home safe and healthy, and retire with dignity,” said Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su.

Though he wasn't in Michigan for a campaign event, Biden spoke on his predecessor, saying that Trump would much rather “cross a picket line than walk one."

“My predecessor believed America is a failing nation,” Biden said, mentioning an oft-repeated complaint by the president about a 2020 report that Trump had referred to American war dead at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France in 2018 as “losers” and “suckers.”

Trump has denied the report.

Sponsor

“I’m glad I wasn’t there,” Biden said. “I think I would have done something. I think you would have, too.”

Biden added: “He's the sucker. He's the loser.”

Biden’s late son Beau died from cancer in 2015. The president has blamed burn pits for the brain cancer. Burn pits are where chemicals, tires, plastics, medical equipment and human waste were disposed of on military bases and were used in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I'm sorry to get emotional like that. But I miss him," Biden said before turning his focus back to union workers, calling them heroes.

How impactful was this article for you?

Only donate if we've informed you about important Michigan issues

See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:

  • “In order for this information to be accurate and unbiased it must be underwritten by its readers, not by special interests.” - Larry S.
  • “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
  • “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.

If you want to ensure the future of nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan journalism, please become a member today. You, too, will be asked why you donated and maybe we'll feature your quote next time!

Pay with VISA Pay with MasterCard Pay with American Express Pay with PayPal Donate Now