The Impact of Their Support
The Teamsters Union: Breaking Tradition By Withholding 2024 Presidential Endorsement
In a surprising turn of events, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has decided not to endorse any candidate in the upcoming 2024 presidential race. This marks the first time since 1996 that the influential labor union has refrained from throwing its support behind a political contender.
The union’s executive board convened in Washington and held a crucial vote, opting against endorsing a candidate after conducting thorough assessments. Just days prior to the decision, some union leaders and members had a private meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris. Teamsters president Sean O’Brien caused a stir by speaking at the Republican National Convention earlier this year, making history as the first labor leader to take such a step. O’Brien’s aim was to engage with Republican union members and he also sought a speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention.
Explaining the rationale behind their non-endorsement stance, the Teamsters executive board expressed disappointment in the lack of substantial commitments from former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris on key union issues. After months of member polling and extensive discussions with major presidential candidates, it became evident that neither party’s nominee garnered unequivocal support from the union’s members.
Teamsters president Sean O’Brien underscored the union’s decision, stating, “Unfortunately, neither major candidate was able to make serious commitments to our union to ensure the interests of working people are always put before Big Business.”
The voting outcome of the board revealed a split, with 14 members in favor of not endorsing any candidate, and three supporting Kamala Harris. Notably, no board member advocated for a Trump endorsement.
Who are the Teamsters?
The Teamsters proudly identify themselves as “America’s largest, most diverse union,” boasting a membership exceeding 1.3 million individuals nationwide. With a presence in various industries ranging from trucking and aviation to law enforcement and entertainment, the group plays a pivotal role in shaping labor standards for workers.
For over two decades, the Teamsters have thrown their weight behind Democratic candidates vying for the presidency.
Why is their endorsement significant?
Given their reach and influence, the Teamsters wield considerable sway among working-class voters, particularly in key battleground states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. According to the AFL-CIO, a prominent labor federation, one in every five voters in swing states belongs to a union.
The abstention from endorsing a candidate comes as no complete surprise, considering the union’s deliberation over not endorsing President Biden during his presidential nominee phase in 2020. A contentious issue that arose was the demand for candidates to commit to abolishing the Railway Labor Act, a move rebuffed by both Harris and Trump.
Implications for the Harris Campaign
Democratic strategists foresee minimal impact on Kamala Harris’s fundraising efforts despite the lack of endorsement from the Teamsters. However, the difference in potential support from members could sway the election results marginally in her favor.
While several major union groups have lined up behind Harris, including the National Black Caucus and the AFL-CIO, the absence of Teamsters’ endorsement leaves a gap.
Implications for the Trump Campaign
The Trump campaign seized the moment by highlighting straw poll results showing Trump’s favorability over Harris among Teamsters members. Although the executive board refrained from a formal endorsement, the Trump campaign emphasized the support from a substantial portion of rank-and-file union members.
As the 2024 presidential race gains momentum, the lack of Teamsters’ endorsement introduces an intriguing dynamic into the political landscape, underscoring the union’s stance on critical labor issues and its commitment to advancing the interests of working-class Americans.
