Biden says striking UAW workers deserve 'fair share' of record auto maker profits

President Joe Biden on Friday offered support to United Auto Workers union members amid their strike against the Big 3 U.S. automakers.

"Record corporate profits, which they have, should be shared by record contracts for the UAW," Biden said in brief remarks at the White House, adding "workers deserve a fair share of the benefits they helped create for an enterprise."

The United Auto Workers or UAW, started a strike early Friday morning against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. Nearly 13,000 workers walked out of three auto plants in Michigan, Missouri and Ohio.

The strike will be a political test for Biden, who says he's the most pro-union president in History, and his economic agenda heading into 2024.

"It's my hope that the parties can return to the negotiation table to forge a win-win agreement," Biden said on Friday.

Biden spoke with UAW president Shawn Fain and leaders of the auto companies on Thursday to discuss ongoing negotiations hours before the midnight deadline.

But by 10 p.m., Fain said workers were prepared to strike if a deal wasn't reached. Sticking points in negotiations were wage increases and the length of the workweek.

The president is deploying acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and White House senior adviser Gene Sperling to Detroit to offer their support for the parties in reaching an agreement.

"The bottom line is that auto workers who create America's middle class, they deserve a contract that sustains them in the middle class," Biden said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.