Vice President Kamala Harris has managed to secure endorsements from local Teamsters unions in crucial battleground states, despite the national union’s decision to remain neutral in the election.
On Wednesday, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the largest and most influential labor unions in the United States, released a statement saying that they would not be endorsing any candidate for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. According to the Hill, this decision was made after extensive polling and roundtable discussions with union members across the country had concluded.
Despite former President Donald Trump receiving more support in independent electronic and phone polling from July to September, there was no clear majority backing him or Vice President Kamala Harris. The union’s leadership stated that neither candidate made serious commitments to protect the interests of working people, such as pledges not to interfere in critical union campaigns or to honor the right to strike.
Sean M. O’Brien, the General President of the Teamsters, noted that the union’s mission is to represent all its members, regardless of their political affiliations, and to ensure that their voices are heard.
He wrote, “Democrats, Republicans, and Independents proudly call our union home, and we have a duty to represent and respect every one of them. We strongly encourage all our members to vote in the upcoming election, and to remain engaged in the political process.”
Presently, local chapters in states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada have chosen to back Kamala Harris. Kevin Moore, President of the Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43, expressed his strong support for Harris on Facebook, stating, “We strongly support their continued commitment to the issues that matter most to working families and our nation’s middle class.” This endorsement is particularly important for Kamala Harris as Michigan is a critical swing state in the upcoming election.
Similarly, Teamsters Joint Council 42, representing workers in California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Guam, also endorsed the Vice President.