Vice President Kamala Harris held a critical meeting with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a powerful labor union, as both she and former President Donald Trump vie for the influential organization’s endorsement in the upcoming presidential election. The meeting took place in Washington, D.C., with Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien in attendance, signaling the significance of the union’s backing in what is expected to be a highly competitive race.
During the discussions, Harris and O’Brien focused on key legislative priorities, particularly those that impact workers’ rights. Central to the conversation was the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, a pivotal piece of labor legislation aimed at strengthening collective bargaining rights and making it easier for workers to form unions. Harris emphasized her administration’s commitment to improving conditions for workers across the country, highlighting the importance of unions in ensuring fair wages, healthcare benefits, and worker protections.
“We are dedicated to fighting for the rights of every worker, ensuring that they have a voice in their workplace and access to the opportunities they deserve,” Harris stated during the meeting. “Unions like the Teamsters are vital in shaping policies that protect workers’ interests, and I look forward to continuing this important partnership.”
While the meeting was seen as a step forward for Harris in her bid for the Teamsters’ endorsement, Sean O’Brien remained non-committal when pressed about a timeline for the union’s decision. “We’ve had thorough discussions with both Vice President Harris and former President Trump, and we have all the information we need to make a decision,” O’Brien said. “However, we are not yet ready to announce any endorsement.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million workers across various industries, including freight, public services, and construction. Their endorsement is highly sought after, as it can swing significant support in battleground states, making it a key factor in both candidates’ electoral strategies.
Former President Trump, who has a long history of courting labor unions despite tensions with some of their leadership, is also competing for the Teamsters’ endorsement. Trump has touted his administration’s economic policies, arguing that they benefited American workers and strengthened job growth. He has used the endorsement battle to criticize the Biden-Harris administration, accusing them of not doing enough to support the working class.
O’Brien acknowledged that both candidates bring different strengths to the table, but the union’s decision will ultimately be guided by which candidate offers the best pathway for protecting workers’ rights and securing their futures. “Our members want leadership that is going to deliver for them on jobs, wages, healthcare, and retirement security,” O’Brien said. “Whoever can do that will have our support.”
As the 2024 election draws nearer, the battle for the Teamsters’ endorsement underscores the crucial role labor unions will play in determining the outcome. Both Harris and Trump are expected to continue engaging with unions across the country as they seek to rally key constituencies and build momentum.
