During his trip to Illinois, the president celebrated the tentative deals that were struck between the UAW and three major U.S. automakers following a strike that lasted weeks.

President Joe Biden on Thursday emphasized his support for unions during a trip to Illinois and celebrated the reopening of a Stellantis plant after tentative deals were recently struck between the United Auto Workers and three major U.S. automakers following a strike that lasted weeks.

Biden also met with United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, as well as union members in his visit to the city of Belvidere, northwest of Chicago.

“I want to thank you for your commitment to the solidarity, for exercising your right to bargain collectively,” Biden said in remarks delivered to an audience of union members. “You made this happen.”

The president told the crowd that they are changing “the face of the country economically” with their efforts.