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 3 hours ago 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.