Biden Highlights Job Growth & Unions at Philly Labor Day Event

On Sep 4, 2023

TL/DR –

President Joe Biden attended the annual Tri-State Labor Day Parade in Philadelphia, where he spoke about the importance of unions and the recovery of the economy post-pandemic. He highlighted that the U.S. is in one of the strongest job-creating periods in its history, despite a slight increase in unemployment due to more people actively looking for work. Biden’s presidency has been characterized by active support for unions, including executive actions to promote worker organizing, personal support for unionization efforts, and federal funding supporting union members’ pensions.

On Monday, President Joe Biden attended Philadelphia’s annual Tri-State Labor Day Parade, underlining his reputation as a pro-union leader.

In his speech, Biden highlighted the significance of unions in the United States and the nation’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

“This Labor Day, we’re celebrating jobs, good-paying jobs, jobs you can raise a family on, union jobs,” said the president.

The Labor Day holiday, which honors workers, coincides with the U.S. adding jobs and more people seeking employment, a trend Biden is keen to emphasize ahead of the 2024 elections.

Speaking from the Rose Garden on Friday, Biden touched on the positive job creation trend, despite the Federal Reserve’s high interest rates. The Labor Department report indicated an increase in the unemployment rate to 3.8%, due to 736,000 people entering the workforce.

“People are coming off the sidelines, getting back to their workplaces,” stated Biden.

At the Labor Day event, union workers patiently awaited Biden’s speech. Many attendees, including Philadelphia resident Lenny Nutter, expressed their support for unions and the President’s pro-union policies.

Biden has promoted worker organizing through executive actions, cheered for unionization efforts at companies like Amazon, and authorized federal funding for union pensions. His administration also proposed a rule to render 3.6 million more U.S. workers eligible for overtime pay.

The president also advocated for union labor’s role in infrastructure projects as part of the bipartisan $1.1 trillion public works package.

“Unions raise standards across the workforce and industries, pushing up wages and strengthening benefits for everyone,” Biden said.