x
Breaking News
More () »

Whitmer leads bipartisan coalition urging Biden administration to support auto workers and the industry

Whitmer, joined by multiple other Governors around the country, sent a letter to Biden admin to redouble efforts on behalf of the auto industry and its workers.
Credit: Getty Images
DETROIT, MI-JUNE 14: Michigan Democrat Gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer addresses the 37th United Auto Workers Constitutional Convention June14, 2018 at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

LANSING, Mich. — On Friday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, joined by governors from Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and South Carolina, sent a letter to President Biden urging his administration to redouble efforts on behalf of the U.S. auto industry and its workers in light of plant closures and production volume reductions in several states brought on by a global shortage of auto-grade semiconductor wafers.

“Auto workers are the backbone of Michigan’s economy, and President Biden has already proven himself to be a strong ally when he pushed for the 2009 auto rescue that saved this industry,” said Whitmer. “Today, I’m urging President Biden to do everything in his power and to leave no stone unturned to protect auto jobs throughout the supply chain at risk because of this shortage."

Whitmer continued by stating how she is grateful for the President’s efforts, including his recent actions calling for a supply chain review of the semiconductor industry.

"I am hopeful we can once again count on President Biden’s leadership to ensure this vital industry has what it needs to continue bolstering our economy," the governor said. "And providing good-paying jobs to hundreds of thousands of hard-working union members and their families.”

The automotive industry is heavily reliant on semiconductors given their use in vehicle safety, control, emissions, and driver information systems. The global auto-grade semiconductor chip shortage has already resulted in plant closures and production volume reductions in several states.

“We know of other foreign governments that continue to urge wafer and semiconductor companies to expand production capacity and/or temporarily reallocate a modest portion of their current production to auto-grade wafer production. We respectfully request that the Biden Administration do the same by continuing the drumbeat on behalf of automakers in the U.S. and their workers until there is a sufficient semiconductor supply to meet the strong demand for our vehicles, which has been one of the bright spots in our recovering economy,” the Governors wrote. 

Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.

Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Before You Leave, Check This Out