DETROIT/WASHINGTON — United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain met with the union’s board late in the afternoon. on Thursday to discuss his deep concerns with the President Joe Bidens According to three sources familiar with the matter, the chances of Donald Trump being defeated in the November election are slim.
Fain called together top officials at the trade union with almost 400,000 members to discuss concerns and what the union’s options are, according to the sources, who asked not to be named. The union is considering its next steps, the sources said.
Fain and the UAWwho endorsed Biden in January are key Biden allies and are expected to play a crucial role in Biden’s victory in key swing states, including Michigan, where the UAW is based.
Biden and Trump have both made multiple appearances in Michigan to appeal to voters, particularly those employed by American automakers such as ford Engine FN, General Motors GM.N and Jeep maker Stellantis STLAM.MI.
Jonah Furman, UAW communications director, and the Biden campaign declined to comment.
Fain, who announced the UAW’s support from Biden in January, Trump has repeatedly rebuked, the former Republican president.
“Donald Trump goes against everything we stand for as a society,” Fain said in his endorsement of Biden in January.
On Wednesday, Biden met with the executive council of the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of American labor unions, to rally support among unions. Fain was present at that meeting.
“I see you as my domestic NATO, no joke,” he said. Biden also thanked labor leaders for their support and shared his plans for the future, seeking to dispel doubts about his re-election campaign.
Fain endorsed Biden after the president joined a union picket line during a six-week auto workers’ strike last year, which resulted in historic pay raises for workers at the Detroit Three carmakers. Biden was the first American president to walking with striking workers. Fain was also mentioned by Biden during this year’s State of the Union address, which Fain attended.
Biden, who has described himself as the most pro-union president in US history, has recently relied on important employment conditions leaders to gain support among his supporters.
Biden is facing growing calls to step aside as the Democratic nominee after a rocky debate that raised questions about his mental fitness for office. For nearly two weeks, Biden, 81, has tried to fend off desertions from Democratic lawmakers, donors and other allies who fear he will lose to Trump, 78.
At least 12 U.S. congressional Democrats have called on Biden to abandon his reelection bid so far. On Wednesday, actor George Clooney, a Democrat who supported Biden, withdrew his support in a New York Times op-ed.