The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced on Wednesday that they would not be endorsing either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump for president. The union, which represents 1.3 million members, stated that neither candidate had made sufficient commitments to support working people over big business. Despite meeting with both Harris and Trump, the Teamsters were unable to secure pledges to protect union campaigns and industries or honor members’ right to strike.
Internal polling showed Trump with an advantage over Harris among Teamsters members. The union detailed their objections to the candidates, including concerns about a contract implemented by Congress in 2022, and the potential use of the Railway Labor Act to resolve disputes. While Harris has pledged support for the PRO Act and criticized laws that make unionizing difficult, Trump did not promise to veto proposals that would hinder union efforts.
Other unions, such as the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America, have also expressed reservations about endorsing a candidate. The Teamsters’ decision not to endorse suggests a level of indifference to the Biden-Harris administration, which enacted legislation to save the pensions of union retirees, including many Teamsters members.
The Teamsters’ choice represents a departure from other large unions that have endorsed Harris. The lack of support from such a prominent labor organization could have implications for the upcoming election, as the union’s members play a crucial role in key battleground states.
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