Biden, going 'full steam ahead' against Trump, at last wins swing state union's support

Joe Biden, the self-proclaimed «most pro-union» American president, on Wednesday secured the United Auto Workers Union's endorsement as he ramps up his reelection bid, after the group had withheld backing him for months.

But the Michigan-based union's support — which includes more than 400,000 active members and millions in political spending — was not earned without courting by the president as his campaign says he's going «full steam ahead» toward a likely rematch against Donald Trump.

«I'm proud you have my back,» Biden said at the UAW's conference in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday after union President Shawn Fain officially endorsed him. «Let me just say, I'm honored to have your back and you have mine — that's the deal.»

The UAW, which backed Democrats in the two previous presidential elections, was holding out in part because of some concerns among members about what Biden's electric vehicle policies could mean for their jobs.

Fain on Wednesday appeared to try to quell his members' fears.

«Advances in technology don't have to leave the plants closing or leave the remaining workers working harder than before,» Fain said. «We should be the masters of technology, not let it master us and force us to work even more for less.»

Later Wednesday, Biden upheld an administration waiver to allow EV chargers to be made using foreign components if final assembly occurred in the U.S.

Jonathan Hanson, a lecturer at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, told ABC News that having «vocal union leadership» embracing Biden's EV push can help prevent swayable members from again voting for Trump.

«To the extent that the union leadership is able to articulate a message that they're on board with this