President Joe Biden made a stop outside Pittsburgh on Monday to celebrate Labor Day and his work to strengthen organized labor across the country, in what his supporters called the most “pro-union” administration in history.
Mr. Biden’s visit to the Pittsburgh area on Labor Day — known in political circles as the unofficial kickoff of the midterm elections — is the latest example of how much focus Republican and Democrat leaders plan to put on Pennsylvania.
Mr. Biden visited Pennsylvania three times in the last week, and former President Donald Trump hosted a rally in the state on Saturday. This is just the start of many political visits to the state, as millions of dollars get poured into the upcoming election in what are expected to be some of the most expensive statewide races in the country.
Mr. Biden appeared beside Democratic U.S. Senate nominee and Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman; U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh; U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.; AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler; and other top state and federal officials. Mr. Fetterman met with Mr. Biden just before the event.
Throughout Mr. Biden’s visit, officials emphasized the importance of voting for Democrats in November to “protect the union way of life,” as Mr. Fetterman said. Several officials noted a recent poll from Gallup that found support for unions in the United States reached a 57-year high, with 68% of the population supporting unions. Still, union membership remains low, as only about 10% of the nation’s population belongs to a union.
“We’ve got to buckle up and get ready for a long 60-plus days,” Mr. Casey said.
U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, Pittsburgh’s longtime representative who is retiring this year, said federal investments in infrastructure and local communities will sustain, well-paying union jobs for the next decade. He credited Democrats for working to increase federal investments to do this.
The president visited West Mifflin on Monday afternoon to speak before a crowd of about 100 members of the United Steelworkers Local 2227 at a private event outside their union hall. Mr. Biden made a stop earlier in the day in Milwaukee for another Labor Day event.
Mr. Doyle, Mr. Biden and other officials boasted investment in the nation’s economy through federal COVID-19 relief legislation and the federal infrastructure bill.
Ms. Shuler, who represents the nation’s largest federation of unions in the country and represents more than 12 million workers, called Mr. Biden “the most pro-union job president.”
“The administration truly is putting working families first in everything it does,” Ms. Shuler added.
Mr. Biden also reaffirmed some of his comments in his prime-time speech from Philadelphia in front of Independence Hall, including that he views so-called “MAGA Republicans” — former President Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters — as a threat to democracy.
Mr. Biden tried to give attendees a positive view for the future, urging that the Americans can do whatever they put their minds to if they do it together.
“It’s about time we stand up and remember who in God’s name we are,” Mr. Biden said. “We’re the United States of America. Nothing is beyond our [reach].”
Earlier in the day, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the state’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, and his lieutenant governor running mate, state Rep. Austin Davis, D-McKeesport, joined union workers across industries in Monday morning’s rainy Labor Day parade. Those workers showed a mutual dedication to Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Davis, such as the “Laborers for Josh Shapiro” or a trolley of longtime and retired SEIU-PA members holding signs that read “SEIU for Shapiro.”
For Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Mr. Fetterman, the United Steelworkers held branded “Steelworkers for Fetterman signs,” as Mr. Fetterman joined them in the parade.
Mr. Fetterman, who had a stroke in May, left shortly after reaching the end of the parade route without making himself accessible to reporters for questions. He’s remained mostly isolated from reporters and voters.
During his meeting with Mr. Biden, Mr. Fetterman advocated that he use his executive powers to de-schedule marijuana. The two also talked about bringing more manufacturing jobs to the U.S., according to a statement from Mr. Fetterman’s spokesman.
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel criticized Mr. Fetterman as a “Biden Democrat who is more comfortable in the company of Bernie Sanders and wealthy Washington elites than he is with hardworking Pennsylvanians,” in the statement ahead of Mr. Biden’s visit.
Mr. Shapiro used Monday’s parade to tout his 18 union endorsements, including from the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, and United Steelworkers.
“I’m proud to have the support of organized labor standing uniformly behind me, because they recognize my opponent wants to shut down unions and wants to end the union way of life,” Mr. Shapiro said. “Unions built this city, unions built this commonwealth. We’re going to stand up and protect their rights.”
Mr. Shapiro will face state Sen. Doug Mastriano, the Republican nominee for governor, in the November election.
Mr. Mastriano’s running mate, state Rep. Carrie DelRosso, R-Oakmont, visited with several union members prior to the start of the parade, such as IBEW 5 and Steamfitters 449, she said in a text message.
In Mr. Fetterman’s remarks at Mr. Biden’s event, the Braddock resident criticized his Republican opponent Mehmet Oz for his longtime residency in New Jersey. He still is recovering from his stroke, with some noticeably unusual speech patterns as he delivers his remarks.
Monday’s parade was the first in-person parade since 2019, after union leaders at the Allegheny-Fayette Labor Council postponed the annual gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Biden’s visit was his first trip back to the Pittsburgh area since he was here in January, the same day the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed.
State Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, said following Monday’s parade that the unity shown among organized labor will be crucial in the upcoming election cycle. She is the Democratic nominee for the new 12th Congressional District that includes Pittsburgh.
“We have a trying election cycle, not just for me but all around,” Ms. Lee added. “We’re not going to be able to fight back against what the other side wants to do if we don’t have strong labor and this progressive movement working hand in hand.”
Ms. Lee in November will face Republican nominee Mike Doyle, who is not related to the longtime U.S. representative of the same name that they’re vying to replace.
Gillian McGoldrick: gmcgoldrick@post-gazette.com or on Twitter @gill_mcgoldrick.
First Published: September 5, 2022, 7:13 p.m.
Updated: September 6, 2022, 1:36 a.m.
