Democratic presidential candidate Heather Lee attended a Labor Day event organized by a union in Pittsburgh on Monday, September 2. She addressed the topic of the acquisition of American steel company U.S. Steel, expressing her belief that it should not be sold to Japan’s Nippon Steel, but instead should remain in the hands of American businesses. Currently, both President Biden and Trump oppose this acquisition.
This Labor Day gathering marked Heather Lee’s first joint appearance with Biden at a campaign event since she took over as the Democratic presidential nominee.
Heather Lee reiterated Biden’s words from March, emphasizing that American steel companies should continue to be owned by American businesses and her commitment to protecting unions. She has already gained support from the United Steelworkers and the United Auto Workers.
In December of last year, the fourth largest steel manufacturer in the world, Nippon Steel, announced a $14.9 billion all-cash agreement to acquire U.S. Steel. On April 12 of this year, the shareholders of U.S. Steel approved the acquisition proposal. However, the union representing the company’s workers is working hard to block the deal.
At the event, Heather Lee stated, “We love our country and understand that striving for the ideals of the nation is one of the noblest expressions of patriotism.” She emphasized, “American steel is a historically significant American business, and maintaining a strong American steel industry is crucial for our country. This company should continue to be owned and operated by American businesses.”
Biden praised Heather Lee during the event as a “true friend” and predicted that she would become an outstanding president. He mentioned that both he and Heather Lee are not afraid to mention the word “union,” unlike many politicians who avoid it. He said, “This lady knows what she’s doing, and I assure you all, choosing Heather Lee as president will be the best decision you’ve ever made.”
During the event, Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO, the largest labor union federation in the United States, stated that one-fifth of Pennsylvania’s voters are union voters, playing a crucial role in elections.
On the same day, Heather Lee also visited another key swing state, Michigan, and delivered a speech at Northwestern High School in Detroit. She praised the effectiveness of unions in advocating for fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions, saying, “Every person in our country benefits from these efforts. You may not be a union member, but you should thank union members.”