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Unions that endorsed Joe Biden slam him for 'slashing thousands of jobs' by blocking Keystone XL pipeline

TC Energy Corp, the company tasked with building the pipeline, announced they would have to layoff 1,000 workers

President Joe Biden canceled the much-anticipated Keystone XL oil pipeline construction on his very first day at office and following this, TC Energy Corp, the company tasked with building the pipeline, announced they would have to layoff 1,000 workers. This happened shortly after Biden signed the executive order revoking their permit on January 20.

“I believe this will send a concerning signal to infrastructure developers that resonates far beyond our project and will stifle innovation for a practical transition towards sustainable energy,” Richard Prior, president of the Keystone Pipeline project, said in an email on January 20, Reuters reported. According to TC Energy, the pipeline was supposed to run from Alberta to the Texas Gulf Coast and sparked controversy for partially building on Native American land. However, the construction would provide over 10,400 American jobs and 2,800 Canadian jobs, KMGH-TV reported.

Biden was endorsed by the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters in the 2020 election. The group was notably disappointed with the decision. “In revoking this permit, the Biden Administration has chosen to listen to the voices of fringe activists instead of union members and the American consumer on Day 1,” General Association President Mark McManus said in a statement.

“Let me be very clear: When built with union labor by the men and women of the United Association, pipelines like Keystone XL remain the safest and most efficient modes of energy transportation in the world," he added. "Sadly, the Biden Administration has now put thousands of union workers out of work. For the average American family, it means energy costs will go up and communities will no longer see the local investments that come with pipeline construction.”

It's worth noting that Democrats have usually enjoyed the support of unions across the country. However, former President Donald Trump won key battleground states in 2016 with substantial union backing. In 2020, Biden was able to win these same voters after campaigning as a "pro-working class public servant who grew up in Scranton," Western Journal reported.

That said, revoking the permit has also allegedly sparked tensions with Canada — especially since a section of the pipeline had already begun construction in Alberta. “While we welcome the President’s commitment to fighting climate change, we are disappointed but acknowledge the President’s decision to fulfill his election campaign promise on Keystone XL,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted.

Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said he was “deeply disturbed” by the US President's order. “The United States is our most important ally & trading partner. As friends & allies, we are deeply disturbed that one of @POTUS first actions was to rescind the Presidential permit for Keystone XL Pipeline border crossing. That’s not how you treat a friend & ally,” he tweeted alongside a statement.

However, Biden's Transportation Secretary nominee Pete Buttigieg defended his decision to kill the pipeline project during his Senate confirmation hearing. “I believe that the president’s climate vision will create more jobs on that,” Buttigieg said. “And I think it’s going to be very important to work with him and work with Congress to make sure that we can deliver on that promise too. That on that, more good-paying union jobs will be created in the context of the climate and infrastructure work that we have before us than has been impacted by other decisions," he added.