President Joe Biden expressed optimism that an auto workers union strike is unlikely to occur, addressing a gathering in Philadelphia for a Labor Day parade. Biden, who frequently emphasizes his pro-union stance, celebrated the significance of organized labor and commended American workers for their role in economic development during his Labor Day appearance in Philadelphia on Monday.

The Democratic president discussed the ongoing economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting his administration’s efforts to fund infrastructure improvements and underscoring the vital role played by unions in bolstering the middle class.

With the Republican primary season gaining momentum, Biden is actively working to regain support among working-class voters who shifted their allegiance to former President Donald Trump and others due to cultural issues. In Philadelphia on Monday, he offered a glimpse of his strategy, consistently referring to Trump as “the last guy” and drawing parallels between Trump’s job creation record and that of President Herbert Hoover, who presided over the Great Depression and was defeated by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Addressing Trump, the current front-runner in Republican polls, Biden remarked, “He left office with fewer jobs in America than when he assumed office.”

Biden spoke to an audience comprising union members from diverse industries, ranging from steelworkers to stagehands. He emphasized the positive impact of his administration’s policies on working individuals and their livelihoods.