President Joe Biden made history on Tuesday by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to join a picket line during a major strike.

"Stick with it," Biden told workers. "Because you deserve the significant raise you need and other benefits."

Read Also: Joe Biden's UAW Picket Line Visit Not Prompted By Donald Trump's Plan, Says White House

Political Play?

The fact that both potential candidates are visiting the UAW strike on consecutive days, indicates that their respective campaigns are focused on blue-collar workers in the U.S. Michigan was one of the many mid-western states that voted for Trump in 2016. Biden won the state in 2020.

Read Also: GM, Ford, And Stellantis Brace For Escalation Of UAW Strikes

Biden showed support for UAW strikers, saying that they deserved a lot more in pay than what they are currently getting. But, some UAW strikers are not too thrilled about Biden and Trump visiting the picket lines, feeling that they are politicizing the strike and using the union members for clout, according to BBC. 

The auto industry has been a big part of Biden’s political career. During the fallout from the 2009 Great Recession, Biden helped oversee the government’s bailout of the auto industry, saving thousands of jobs in Detroit.

UAW’s President Shawn Fain has yet to officially endorse Biden, but he did ride with him in the presidential limousine to the picket line.

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