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Jimmy Williams
The National Black Caucus of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (TNBC) has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, despite the broader union’s decision to withhold its endorsement for now. The endorsement was announced following a unanimous vote by caucus members during a conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
In their statement, the TNBC praised Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for their “unwavering commitment to workers and their families,” highlighting their records on advancing labor rights and supporting working-class Americans.
“Their records reflect a deep dedication to advancing labor rights and supporting working-class Americans,” the statement read.
The TNBC’s endorsement of Harris comes at a time when labor organizations are increasingly rallying around her candidacy following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race. However, the larger Teamsters union, led by President Sean O’Brien, has opted to wait until after both major party conventions before endorsing a candidate. O’Brien has invited all presidential candidates, including Harris, to sit for interviews, though she has not yet participated.
TNBC Chair James Curbeam cited former President Donald Trump’s history in politics and business as a key factor in the caucus’s decision to endorse Harris.
“When people show you who they are, believe them and Trump showed us for 40 years who he really is: someone who is not for us,” Curbeam said. “Endorsing a candidate with his history would be a betrayal of the values that we have fought to uphold.”
The decision by the TNBC to publicly back Harris is notable given the history of pushback within the union when its members take bold political stances. O’Brien’s outreach to Republicans, including speaking at their convention in July, has already sparked some tension among union members.
On Monday, O’Brien responded sharply to a recent interview between Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in which Trump advocated for firing striking workers.
“Firing workers for organizing, striking, and exercising their rights as Americans is economic terrorism,” O’Brien stated.
Despite the hesitation from the larger Teamsters organization, Harris has garnered significant support from other labor groups, particularly in Chicago, where union labor has been integral to the organization of the Democratic National Convention. Matt Hill, Senior Director of Communications for the DNC, emphasized the role of union support in the convention.
“We are building a convention in Chicago that will tell our story to the American people, including the stories of labor and union leaders and workers across America supporting the Harris-Walz ticket and their pro-union record and vision,” Hill said.
The endorsement from the TNBC is likely to add momentum to Harris’s campaign as she seeks to consolidate labor support ahead of the 2024 election.
