Teamsters’ Neutral Stance: A Blow to Harris and a Challenge for Trump

[Social Media]

 

For the first time since 1996, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the most influential labor unions in America, has refrained from endorsing a U.S. presidential candidate. This decision marks a significant moment in the political landscape, especially as the union, which represents 1.3 million members across the U.S. and Canada, noted it received "few commitments on top Teamsters issues" from either Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, or Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.

 

The union’s internal polling found "no definitive support" for either candidate, though two recent polls indicated a leaning toward Trump. This lack of endorsement presents a challenge for Harris, particularly as she seeks to win over working-class voters in critical swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. A potential endorsement could have rallied thousands of Teamsters to support her campaign in these key battlegrounds.

 

Shortly after the announcement, several regional councils within the Teamsters, representing more than half a million members in states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, and California, announced their endorsement of Harris. The Harris campaign emphasized its broad support from "the overwhelming majority of organized labor" and highlighted the backing of many local Teamsters groups. Campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt pointed out, "While Donald Trump says striking workers should be fired, Vice-President Harris has literally walked the picket line and stood strong with organized labor for her entire career."

 

The union's membership, which includes a wide range of workers such as freight drivers, warehouse employees, and airline pilots, is known for its political diversity. Since taking over the union’s executive board in 2022, General President Sean O'Brien has sought to build relationships with both Republicans and Democrats. He has reached out to populist Republicans like Senators Josh Hawley and JD Vance, the latter now being Trump’s running mate.

 

O’Brien’s efforts to court the Republican Party included a private meeting with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in January, followed by a roundtable with the union’s board in Washington, D.C. After the meeting, Trump expressed confidence, saying he believed he had a "good shot" at earning the union’s endorsement. The Teamsters board also met with President Joe Biden before he withdrew from the race, as well as with third-party candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West.

 

In a surprising move, the union made financial contributions to both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions earlier this year, marking its first donation to Republican candidates in years. O'Brien even delivered a prime-time address at the Republican National Convention (RNC), where he called Trump "one tough SOB," though he stopped short of endorsing him. Despite the friendly overtures, O’Brien later criticized Trump and campaign surrogate Elon Musk for suggesting that workers who strike should be fired.

 

After speaking at the RNC, O’Brien was not invited to address the Democratic convention. Instead, rank-and-file members of the union represented the Teamsters at the event. Some Teamsters members, including the National Black Caucus and six local unions, have openly criticized O’Brien’s outreach to the right, choosing to endorse Harris independently.

 

In a last-minute effort to win the union’s endorsement, Harris met with the Teamsters board earlier this week in a long-delayed roundtable. The New York Times described the meeting as "sometimes tense," though a union spokesperson disputed that characterization. During the conversation, Harris told the board, “I’m confident I’m going to win this. I want your endorsement, but if I don’t get it, I will treat you exactly as if I had gotten your endorsement.”

 

The Teamsters' decision to stay neutral in the current election is a major blow to Harris and leaves Trump with a more divided labor landscape than expected.

 

Credit: BBC 2024-09-20

 

 

 

[Srikcir]

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

The Teamsters' decision to stay neutral in the current election is a major blow to Harris

It's a missed opportunity for the union to endorse Harris but not a blow if it also remains neutral with Trump. Regardless, its members have a right to vote for themselves in November and Harris can appeal directly to them.

[jippytum]

A no for Harris is a plus for Trump

[Eric Loh]

4 hours ago, jippytum said:

A no for Harris is a plus for Trump

Regional teamsters unions in battleground states have endorsed Harris. None for Trump. So he get no endorsement from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and regional unions. Big setback for Trump.

[RichardColeman]

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Regional teamsters unions in battleground states have endorsed Harris. None for Trump. So he get no endorsement from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and regional unions. Big setback for Trump.

 

An internal poll conducted by phone showed 58% of members supported Trump, compared to 31% backing Harris.

 

Hmm, think you'll find that they the people at the top fear endorsing trump (probably as they are democrat pals), but the people paying their wages support Trump. If it was the other way round and Harris had 58% they would endorse her - so pretty obvious democrat leaders trying to find a middle ground for their own protection - not their workers !!

 

[illisdean]

First time since 2000 that teamsters did not endorse the democratic presidential candidate and can't say I blame them for passing over the cackling moron especially when O'Brien fears losing re-election. The rank and file teamster members favor Trump almost 2-1 over the cackle moron, that should come as no surprise. These same members preferred Biden 43% to Trump 36% prior to Biden dropping out. Kamala is poison, she's a total fraud and it's starting to emerge despite her media protection. No one wants to take a chance on her absolute daftness. 

 

 

 

teamster statement link

 

Majority of Teamsters prefer Trump

Edited September 20 by illisdean

[riclag]

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

 

An internal poll conducted by phone showed 58% of members supported Trump, compared to 31% backing Harris.

 

Hmm, think you'll find that they the people at the top fear endorsing trump (probably as they are democrat pals), but the people paying their wages support Trump. If it was the other way round and Harris had 58% they would endorse her - so pretty obvious democrat leaders trying to find a middle ground for their own protection - not their workers !!

 

Good news, I was a Teamster member 

for  20 years retiring in 2005 .I worked for Consolidated Freight & ABF!

Nafta was the issue back than, bush started it and Clinton signed it into law.

Mexican & Canadian Truckers being allowed to take their loads across the border, cost us to loose many Union jobs!

[Yagoda]

5 minutes ago, riclag said:

Good news, I was a Teamster member 

for  20 years retiring in 2005 .I worked for Consolidated Freight & ABF!

Nafta was the issue back than, bush started it and Clinton signed it into law.

Mexican & Canadian Truckers being allowed to take their loads across the border, cost us to loose many Union jobs!

People that work hard are usually Trump supporters

[JonnyF]

Bad news for the Democrats.

 

Good news for normal Americans. 

[Chomper Higgot]

So Harris doesn’t get the backing of the Mob.

[riclag]

2 hours ago, illisdean said:

First time since 2000 that teamsters did not endorse the democratic presidential candidate and can't say I blame them for passing over the cackling moron especially when O'Brien fears losing re-election. The rank and file teamster members favor Trump almost 2-1 over the cackle moron, that should come as no surprise. These same members preferred Biden 43% to Trump 36% prior to Biden dropping out. Kamala is poison, she's a total fraud and it's starting to emerge despite her media protection. No one wants to take a chance on her absolute daftness. 

 

 

 

teamster statement link

 

Majority of Teamsters prefer Trump

Rank & file  are American citizens! Teamsters have been so desperate for members ,we were recruiting cemetery 

workers to join the ranks!

[Cameroni]

Quote

 "one tough SOB,"

 

If a teamster says that about you, then you know you're a good negotiator.

 

Would you rather have a smiley cackling laugh puppet or a tough SOB as president?

[Patong2021]

2 hours ago, illisdean said:

First time since 2000 that teamsters did not endorse the democratic presidential candidate and can't say I blame them for passing over the cackling moron especially when O'Brien fears losing re-election. The rank and file teamster members favor Trump almost 2-1 over the cackle moron, that should come as no surprise. These same members preferred Biden 43% to Trump 36% prior to Biden dropping out. Kamala is poison, she's a total fraud and it's starting to emerge despite her media protection. No one wants to take a chance on her absolute daftness. 

 

 

 

teamster statement link

 

Majority of Teamsters prefer Trump

 

You have called VP Harris a fraud.  OK. What fraudulent acts has she committed and why has she not been prosecuted or sued for these fraudulent acts. There are enough activist Republican Governors  (e.g. Desantis, Abbot) who can bring charges if there are actionable offences.  

 

You are quick to make  claims, now  identify the fraudulent acts.   To help you out, here are some guidelines: Your personal bias does not substantiate a crime of fraud. On the other hand, 34 convictions on felony  against Trump do support calling Trump a fraud. Trump's multiple bankruptcies do not mean he is a fraud, just either an incompetent business person and/or dishonest. Trump's multiple legal cases related to his failure to pay contractors may suggest fraud, but they are not. Perhaps, mean, greedy and dishonest. 

[Cameroni]

23 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

What fraudulent acts has she committed

 

Her entire political platform is a fraud

 

- Fracking (she only adopted it to get votes and opposed it before)

 

- She is the Wyatt Earp of immigration now, but before she wanted to withdraw funding for border agencies

 

- She is gun owner now, but before she went on record to curtail gun ownership

 

- Abortion, she promises to pass a law she can not pass

 

- Inflation, she says she will fix prices as if that would fix inflation

 

Kamala Harris a fraud from start to finish. Even the way she talks, as if she came straight off the set of "Absolutely Fabulous".

 

My values have not changed? FRAUUDDDD!!! You changed all your policies you lying coconunt.

 

Speaking of coconut, she was Indian, now she is black?`

 

This is the most fraudulent candidate to ever run for president.

[Patong2021]

An endorsement for either Harris or Trump is more of a curse than a blessing. It is not the feel good union of nurses or teachers. Rather it is the union of the rail workers, logistics workers, and a range of other workers who have  significant impact on people, when they go out on strike, e.g. the recent rail workers strike crisis. And it is the union of UPS, the company where drivers mishandle packages antagonizing customers. A Teamsters endorsement  might motivate some workers, but it won't do anything for the general public, since teamsters are still seen as the  mob's union, even if they  cleaned up their activities.

[Patong2021]

2 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Her entire political platform is a fraud

 

- Fracking (she only adopted it to get votes and opposed it before)

 

- She is the Wyatt Earp of immigration now, but before she wanted to withdraw funding for border agencies

 

- She is gun owner now, but before she went on record to curtail gun ownership

 

- Abortion, she promises to pass a law she can not pass

 

- Inflation, she says she will fix prices as if that would fix inflation

 

Kamala Harris a fraud from start to finish. Even the way she talks, as if she came straight off the set of "Absolutely Fabulous".

 

My values have not changed? FRAUUDDDD!!! You changed all your policies you lying coconunt.

 

Speaking of coconut, she was Indian, now she is black?`

 

This is the most fraudulent candidate to ever run for president.

 

None of what you wrote is fraud. 

Advocating responsible firearms access is not fraud.

Changing a political position is not fraud. It shows that a person listens to rational arguments and changes  accordingly.

Responsible  allocation of  government funds is not fraud.

Supporting  female reproductive rights is not fraud. 

 

Repeating racist slurs  is disgusting. You have not supported a claim of fraud.

 

[Cameroni]

4 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

None of what you wrote is fraud. 

Advocating responsible firearms access is not fraud.

Changing a political position is not fraud. It shows that a person listens to rational arguments and changes  accordingly.

Responsible  allocation of  government funds is not fraud.

Supporting  female reproductive rights is not fraud. 

 

Repeating racist slurs  is disgusting. You have not supported a claim of fraud.

 

 

She did not just advocate "resonsibile firearms access". She supported out and out gun reduction:

 

Gun buyback proposals gained steam during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race.

They were endorsed by Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell and earned support from Harris

 

"We have to have a buyback programme, and I support a mandatory gun buyback programme," Harris said in October 2019. She said she supported taking the nation's millions of assault weapons "off the streets, but doing it in the right way".

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3vxvzg34qwo

 

On abortion, her position is a fraud because she promises and talks about an abortion law which she can never pass, as the Democrats would have to own both the Congress and Senate.

 

What racist slur? She said she was Indian, now she says she is black. Seems a bit inconsistent to me.

[illisdean]

54 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

You have called VP Harris a fraud.  OK. What fraudulent acts has she committed and why has she not been prosecuted or sued for these fraudulent acts. There are enough activist Republican Governors  (e.g. Desantis, Abbot) who can bring charges if there are actionable offences.  

 

You are quick to make  claims, now  identify the fraudulent acts.   To help you out, here are some guidelines: Your personal bias does not substantiate a crime of fraud. On the other hand, 34 convictions on felony  against Trump do support calling Trump a fraud. Trump's multiple bankruptcies do not mean he is a fraud, just either an incompetent business person and/or dishonest. Trump's multiple legal cases related to his failure to pay contractors may suggest fraud, but they are not. Perhaps, mean, greedy and dishonest. 

She's FAR worse than a fraud. and most are picking upon it now, except maybe you. She's a simpleton for sure, maybe even semi retarded. If she's not copying/plagiarizing Trump policies, she's is laying down some fine and goofy word salads the world is laughing at. 

 

So let me ask, did you vote for kamala harris in the primary....(How many votes did she get? Lol..)

 

Didn't think so. Nothing like democrat version of "democracy", more like fraud on the 14 or 15M primary votes for Biden  that were screwed over by her fraud.

 

She's a "fraud" a phony low achieving lying fraud afraid of the American public, a coward that hides. She's a bigger fraud than Biden in some ways. And she's not going to fool America and steal the election. As long as Trump keeps dodging bullets and assassinations, he will be 47 not your cackling moron savior fraud from CA.

 

Here's a good cackle for you. Enjoy it.

 

 

 

Edited September 20 by illisdean

[riclag]

“Following the Republican National Convention and Biden's campaign exit, the Teamsters commissioned a national electronic poll of its 1.3 million members, overseen by an independent third party. During a voting window from July 24-Sept. 15, rank-and-file Teamsters voted 59.6 percent for the union to endorse Trump, compared to 34 percent for Harris”.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/teamsters-release-presidential-endorsement-polling-data-302252260.html
 

Teamsters rank & file are for the flag!

I never forgot  our strong  patriotism toward People who love America many on the  new left want to destroy that flag & what it stands for.

[illisdean]

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

You are quick to make  claims, now  identify the fraudulent acts. 

worse than fraud. This moron has systematically committed acts far worse than her fake and fraudulent persona, shes a full on low life criminal systemically doing her best to inundate America with criminals, terrorists and who knows what all with the planned illegal alien invasion on her watch that she has done nothing about and is to chick-$hit to talk about. She's a total fraud, coward, gutless to the core and makes Biden look like a boy-scout (albeit a mentally unfit one). Oh well, she's your problem, if you want more destruction in America keep supporting the cackling moron.

 

 

Edited September 20 by illisdean

[illisdean]

Kamala has accomplished NOTHING in >1330 days as VP and she is gaslighting the brainwashed sheep that id your vote for her she gonna fix the economy with the "opportunity economy" lol....whatever that is no one knows, even kamala knows not what she's mumbling on about. In the meantime, lets bash the heck out of Elon Musk and his outstanding satellite based Starlink broadband service that Biden/Harris rejected and instead wasted the $42B they (Kamala was tasked with this) were given to fix broadband in rural America but guess what....there was not one new broadband cinnection, zip, ziltch, nada. Another great glowing failure for the queen of cackle. She's fake, a fraud based on her deception and lies and so much more. She was the fry flipper at McDonalds, except she wasn't, FRAUD!

 

Outstanding job managing the planned broadband expansion, total failure as bad as the humanitarian and national security crisis the Biden-Harris border /immigration debacle planned destruction has created! Need to get these frauds in front of a tribunal at Guantanamo next January with a hands on Trump DOJ to prosecute the deep state for their crimes.

 

 

Edited September 20 by illisdean

[thaipo7]

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

 

Her entire political platform is a fraud

 

- Fracking (she only adopted it to get votes and opposed it before)

 

- She is the Wyatt Earp of immigration now, but before she wanted to withdraw funding for border agencies

 

- She is gun owner now, but before she went on record to curtail gun ownership

 

- Abortion, she promises to pass a law she can not pass

 

- Inflation, she says she will fix prices as if that would fix inflation

 

Kamala Harris a fraud from start to finish. Even the way she talks, as if she came straight off the set of "Absolutely Fabulous".

 

My values have not changed? FRAUUDDDD!!! You changed all your policies you lying coconunt.

 

Speaking of coconut, she was Indian, now she is black?`

 

This is the most fraudulent candidate to ever run for president.

Plus her remarks are only geared to Private land drilling.  Not Government lands.  She does not tell you this so the useful idiots thinks she is for fracking now.  She has no control over the private land drilling.  She is a total fraud.  A Marxist/Communist.  Easy to vote in this kind of government but hard to vote out of it.

[illisdean]

3 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Would you rather have a smiley cackling laugh puppet

This smiley cackling laugh puppet (muppet) when asked how she will lower the cost of living delivers an absolutely mind numbing world class word salad gibberish word vomit, listen up: 

 

 

 

Edited September 20 by illisdean

[illisdean]

2 hours ago, thaipo7 said:

She is a total fraud.

The ABC debate may be another fraud involving Kamala. She's bad news to say the least. If this is true she's gonna get bent over big time in the political whammy debacle department. ABC and her will get nuked over this. LOL....total fraud. Laughable, but so pathetic.

 

 

Edited September 20 by illisdean

[bendejo]

4 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So Harris doesn’t get the backing of the Mob.

 

Maybe a lot in here missed this, but there was an amusing encounter with this guy at a US Senate hearing not too long ago.  Just look up

senator markwayne mullin teamsters

 

 

[illisdean]

3 hours ago, illisdean said:

So let me ask, did you vote for kamala harris in the primary....(How many votes did she get? Lol..)

This one didn't get any votes either, same as democracy queen Kamala. Where is all this democracy these loser liberals constantly cry about. Biden's 1st cabinet meeting in 11 months. 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

16 hours ago, jippytum said:

A no for Harris is a plus for Trump

Indeed. The implication is that there is some reason not to endorse Harris. I can think of many.

[Eric Loh]

12 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

 

An internal poll conducted by phone showed 58% of members supported Trump, compared to 31% backing Harris.

 

Hmm, think you'll find that they the people at the top fear endorsing trump (probably as they are democrat pals), but the people paying their wages support Trump. If it was the other way round and Harris had 58% they would endorse her - so pretty obvious democrat leaders trying to find a middle ground for their own protection - not their workers !!

 

21 k involved in the internal poling is small fraction of the 1.3 million teamster membership. Hardly sufficient to draw any conclusion. Endorsement of regional teamster unions of Harris are much more conclusive on who they support. 

Edited September 21 by Eric Loh
Wrong word

[Chomper Higgot]

8 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Speaking of coconut, she was Indian, now she is black?`

She’s an American.

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

9 hours ago, Cameroni said:

 

If a teamster says that about you, then you know you're a good negotiator.

 

Would you rather have a smiley cackling laugh puppet or a tough SOB as president?

A traitor and puppet for the world’s tyrants?