President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Sept. 6 that directs federal grants to projects that prioritize increased worker pay and benefits, labor agreements, and apprenticeships.

While advocating for economic growth spurred by better worker conditions, Biden discussed his plans during a speech at UA Local 190's Job Training Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

"Everybody in America deserves one thing: a fighting chance," Biden said.

The president was flanked by union workers and apprentices, including Andrew Escobedo, a pipefitter and member of Local 190, who introduced Biden.

Labor unions have played a central role for Democrats in this election cycle as Vice President Kamala Harris has clinched the backing of the AFL-CIO, United Auto Workers, and other key unions in her 2024 bid for the White House.

In his Sept. 6 speech, Biden said, "All these workers bust their neck, they provide our ability to sleep and walk and work and do anything, and they deserve to be treated with dignity."

Biden has repeatedly championed his CHIPS and Science Act, which has led to an increase in American computer chip manufacturing during his term, particularly amid widespread chip supply line shortages during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden said in his speech that he wants take his administration's efforts further to invest in projects that benefit workers across multiple industries.

"My executive order has gone to call on federal agencies to include high labor standards and grants that we give prioritizing projects that pay wages you can raise a family on and provide benefits like childcare," Biden said, adding that it "promotes federal policies to raise wages beyond construction all across the manufacturing sector."

The president said that the order would also reduce grant discrimination and hiring bias to "protect the safety of workers."

While Biden's administration says its efforts have led to $900 billion worth of private-sector investments in manufacturing, infrastructure, and renewable energy, many Americans are still facing high prices lingering effects from the inflation increases that began in 2021. Improvements from many of Biden's investments are expected to take years to manifest.