Biden to sign order to prioritize federal grants for projects with higher worker wages and benefits

President Joe Biden plans to sign an executive order for federal grants that would prioritize projects with labor agreements, wage standards and benefits such as access to child care and apprenticeship programs

PITTSBURGH — President Joe Biden plans to sign an executive order Friday for federal grants, prioritizing projects that include labor agreements, wage standards and benefits such as access to child care and apprenticeship programs.

The Biden administration is trying to argue that economic growth should result from better conditions for workers.

“A good job is a job with security and benefits, where workers have the right to join a union, fight for better working conditions, come home safe and sound, and retire with dignity,” said Acting Labor Minister Julie Su.

Biden heads to a union training center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to announce the measure, as the administration has emphasized the critical role that organized labor will likely play for the Democrats in the November election. In her contest against Republican Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris is counting on the support of the AFL-CIO and other labor unions to help turn out voters in key states.

Trump has also tried to make inroads with organized labor by having Teamsters President Sean O’Brien speak at the Republican National Convention. The Teamsters have not formally endorsed any candidates, though Harris is expected to speak with them.

The order would establish a task force to coordinate policy development aimed at ensuring greater benefits for workers. Government funding for infrastructure, computer chip manufacturing and renewable energy development has led to a wave of projects.

By the administration’s count, its incentives have led to $900 billion in private-sector investment in renewables and manufacturing. Those pledges haven’t resonated with voters more focused on the lingering damage caused by inflation peaking in 2022, but many projects will take several years to come to fruition.