Biden's New Executive Order: Enhancing Worker Benefits and Infrastructure

President Joe Biden will sign an executive order prioritizing federal grants for projects with labor agreements, wage standards, and benefits like child care and apprenticeship programs. This initiative aims to ensure economic growth benefits workers. The administration's investment in infrastructure and renewable energy has already led to significant private-sector commitments.

President Joe Biden is set to sign an executive order on Friday to prioritize federal grants for projects adhering to labor agreements, wage standards, and worker benefits, including access to child care and apprenticeship programs.

The Biden administration argues that economic growth should be rooted in better conditions for workers. Acting Labour Secretary Julie Su stated, "A good job is a job with security and benefits, where workers have the right to join a union, advocate for better working conditions, come home safe and healthy, and retire with dignity." Biden will announce the order at a union training center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, highlighting organized labor's importance for Democrats in the upcoming elections.

Vice President Kamala Harris relies on union support to counter Republican Donald Trump in key states. Trump has also courted organized labor, featuring Teamsters President Sean O'Brien at the Republican National Convention. This executive order aims to establish a task force to coordinate policy for better worker benefits. The administration claims its efforts have spurred $900 billion in private-sector investments in renewable energy and manufacturing. However, these projects are long-term, and many voters remain focused on the economic impact of 2022's inflation spike.

(With inputs from agencies.)