The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the largest and best-known labor unions in the United States, has refused to endorse a presidential candidate, citing Major political divisions among its membersas well as dissatisfaction with each major candidate’s position on key union priorities.
In a tight presidential race in which a large majority of labor unions have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, the Teamsters may decide not to. Seen as a high-profile rebukeEspecially since Harris is part of a Democratic administration that is largely supportive of labor union rights. Whether the decision actively hurts him, however, remains to be seen.
Represented by Teamsters More than a million workers from many industriesincluding UPS drivers and workers in construction, health care, and sanitation. Their members are located throughout the United States. But the Teamsters have a particularly strong base in the Midwest and swing states that could be decisive in November.
Before the decision, the Teamsters polled members on their choice of president. In A September telephone survey58 percent of Teamsters members support Republican candidate Donald Trump and 31 percent said they would support Harris. In straw pole In town halls conducted before President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race in July, 44 percent of members supported Biden, versus 36 percent for Trump.
While poll results suggest a general preference for Trump, several Teamsters local unions and subgroups have voiced support for Harris. D Teamsters National Black Caucus endorsed Harris in August without waiting for the national agency’s decision. Local unions took to the battlefield in the wake of Wednesday’s announcement Michigan, WisconsinAnd Pennsylvania – among others — also endorsed by Harris.
Now both camps are claiming that the Teamsters are behind them, Trump because of the poll resultsand Harris Due to local approval.
Will the Teamsters’ political decisions carry weight in November?
The lack of approval may not matter much in the end in terms of how the Teamsters will vote. So far polls and local endorsements have made it clear that most Teamsters have a particular preference this election cycle, and it’s not clear that an endorsement from the national union will do much to change that.
Peveril Squire, a political science professor at the University of Missouri, told Vox that where union endorsements really matter is campaigning.
“Union endorsements are valuable because they usually come with access to resources, especially volunteers to knock on doors and work phone banks,” Squire said. “Leadership may be able to convince some members to vote the way they want, but the real value is campaign support.”
In addition to the hazard of having fewer volunteers, there is some possibility that non-recognition may influence non-union voters sympathetic to labor issues.
The lack of approval “has a broader symbolism,” said Vanderbilt University professor of sociology and political economy. Larry Isaac told Vox.
“We sought commitments from both Trump and Harris not to interfere with critical union campaigns or core Teamsters industries — and to respect our members’ right to strike — but were unable to keep those commitments,” Teamsters National President Sean O’Brien said. This statement, along with the broader choice not to issue an endorsement, makes a clear argument that neither candidate will look to organized labor.
Before Wednesday’s announcement, there had been indications that the union, at break with other major unions, would not support it at all — which was not a total shock given that the Teamsters are often politically out of step with the rest of US labor. Union movement, Isaac Dr. D United Auto Workersthe American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIOAnd industry and many smaller unions across the country supported Harris.
Still, the Teamsters’ announcement may be enough to sway some voters. Americans support the union Higher levels than in decades — and offers some information Voters were more likely to support candidates perceived to be pro-union in the 2022 election.
Through his connection to Biden, Harris has a good record on labor; Biden stood on the picket line with UAW workers when they went on strike last summer and has generally supported the right to strike and sought to undermine corporate power. But the administration forced Teamster members to work under union leadership that was a less-than-ideal contract Before the rail strike in 2022.
But Harris’ own policies and values that differ from Biden’s aren’t all that well-known, though he has supported the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would strengthen protections around workers’ right to organize and bargain collectively. But the Teamsters leadership was reportedly not impressed with what they heard During a meeting with Harris earlier this week.
Trump, on the other hand, has appointed labor opponents to the National Labor Review Board and approved legislation that limits workers’ rights to organize and strengthens the power of workplaces to bust a union during his presidency. Instead of focusing on pro-labor policies, Trump has spent the 2024 campaign pandering to the working class with his populist message. Still, Trump also apparently didn’t impress the Teamsters among him Round table meeting with members.
