During the White House’s Summit On Worker Voice on Wednesday, Joe Biden had a clear message for labor unions—that Hillary Clinton might not be a reliable ally, but he would be. His speech focused on his sympathies for the labor movement, his friendship with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, and the like. He also hit Clinton, saying, “if I don’t move… I’ll be demoted to Secretary of State or something like that. [laughter from audience] THAT’S A JOKE.” The statement also suggests he’s seriously considering running against Clinton, and that he’d be a better ally for the labor movement than Clinton.
Here’s the broader context:
“But in the meantime, while this is happening, the fight we have is we can’t—we can’t—let the average American out of benefitting from this deal. That’s why we need organized labor. That’s why we need collective bargaining. That’s why we need more protection for workers’ rights.
Because it’s coming, this resurgence. The question is—it shouldn’t all be, figuratively speaking, meeting income workers with the minimum wage, even if it’s a good minimum wage.
So we’re counting on you. We need your help. We need your suggestions. We need your muscle. We need to move. And, if I don’t move… I’ll be demoted to Secretary of State or something like that. [laughter from audience] THAT’S A JOKE.”
Because it’s coming, this resurgence. The question is—it shouldn’t all be, figuratively speaking, meeting income workers with the minimum wage, even if it’s a good minimum wage.
So we’re counting on you. We need your help. We need your suggestions. We need your muscle. We need to move. And, if I don’t move… I’ll be demoted to Secretary of State or something like that. [laughter from audience] THAT’S A JOKE.”
